Large Hawks & Eagles
Last Review/Updated: May 31, 2002
Alberta's
hawks and eagles belong to one family of raptors, or birds of prey
( family Accipitridae). Within this family, biologists recognize three
groups of species occurring in Alberta: 1) woodland hawks (accipiters),
2) heavy-bodied hawks (buteos) and eagles, and 3) the northern harrier.
The buteos, eagles and the northern harrier are presented here along
with the turkey vulture (family Cathartidae) and osprey (family Pandionidae).
The woodland hawks are presented with the falcons in Woodland Falcons & Hawks.
All raptors have strong, hooked beaks for tearing flesh, and strong feet and talons for grasping and holding prey. In most species, females are larger than males.
Buteos are large hawks with broad, rounded wings and tails. They are adapted for flying over open areas, and are often seen soaring above fields and woods. Most large hawks spend much of their time perched on tall trees or poles.
Eagles are larger than buteo hawks, with some having wingspreads up to 2.5 m (8 ft). Wide color variation in each species of hawk and eagle often makes identification difficult. Juvenile plumages often differ from those of adults.
The
northern harrier is the only North American representative of a group
of hawks called
"harriers." This hawk is similar in size to many buteos but is distinguished
by its long tail and long, narrow wings. It is often seen gliding low
over the ground.
The
turkey vulture is a large raptor with long wings and a bare, unfeathered
head. It is the only member of the American vulture family (Cathartidae)
that occurs in Canada. While soaring, it is distinguished from the
eagle by its V-shaped wing placement.
The osprey is the only member of the fish hawk family (Pandionidae) in the world. It has long legs and talons, as well as tiny spines on the bottom of its feet for holding slippery fish.
