48421 KS Raptors:48421 KS Raptors - Kansas ECO-Meetkansasecomeet.org/ecomeet/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/KSRaptorsv3.pdf · Adult birds have a dark gray or black head. Distribution:Black

A POCKET GUIDE TO

Kansas RaptorsThird Edition

Text by Bob Gress and Vanessa AvaraPhotos by Bob Gress

Funded by Westar Energy Green Team,Glenn Springs Holdings Inc.,

Occidental Chemical Corporation,and the Chickadee Checkoff

Published by the Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center

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Table of Contents• Introduction • 2

• Species Accounts

Vultures■ Turkey Vulture • 4

■ Black Vulture • 6

Osprey■ Osprey • 8

Kites, Harriers, Eagles and Hawks■ Mississippi Kite • 10

■ Northern Harrier • 12

■ Golden Eagle • 14

■ Bald Eagle • 16

■ Sharp-shinned Hawk • 18

■ Cooper’s Hawk • 20

■ Northern Goshawk • 22

■ Broad-winged Hawk • 24

■ Red-shouldered Hawk • 26

■ Red-tailed Hawk • 28

■ Swainson’s Hawk • 30

■ Rough-legged Hawk • 32

■ Ferruginous Hawk • 34

Falcons■ American Kestrel • 36

■ Merlin • 38

■ Prairie Falcon • 40

■ Peregrine Falcon • 42

■ Gyrfalcon • 44

Barn Owl■ Barn Owl • 46

Bald Eagle

American Kestrel

Cover Photo:Ferruginous Hawk

1

Typical Owls■ Eastern Screech-Owl • 48

■ Great Horned Owl • 50

■ Snowy Owl • 52

■ Burrowing Owl • 54

■ Barred Owl • 56

■ Long-eared Owl • 58

■ Short-eared Owl • 60

■ Northern Saw-whet Owl • 62

• Rare Kansas Raptors • 64

■ Swallow-tailed Kite■ White-tailed Kite■ Harris’s Hawk■ Gray Hawk■ Western Screech-Owl■ Flammulated Owl

• Falconry • 65

• The Protection of Raptors • 66

• Pocket Guides • 68

Burrowing Owl

Chickadee Checkoff

Glenn SpringsHoldings, Inc.

2

IntroductionRaptors are birds of prey. They include

hawks, eagles, falcons, owls and vultures.They are primarily hunters or scavengersand feed on meat or insects. Most raptorshave talons for killing their prey and ahooked beak for tearing meat. Of the 53species of raptors found in the United Statesand Canada, 30 occur regularly in Kansasand an additional six species are consideredrare.

The purpose of this field guide is to helpyou identify and gain an appreciation for

these magnificentbirds that live andpass through ourstate. It isn’t meantfor a bookshelf asmuch as it is foryour pocket or glovebox. Keep it handy.

Hawks and owlshave only been pro-

tected since 1972.Prior to that time, it was commonly believedthese birds were at best, nuisances and atworst, in competition with humans for wildgame. We now know fluctuations in gameanimals are most attributable to habitat

Great Horned Owl

changes. Raptors play a vital role in con-suming rodents and carrion, keeping theKansas ecosystem in balance.

All birds belong to the Class Aves.Kansas’ raptors are divided into two Ordersof birds. The raptors in this book arearranged according to the following classifications.

Class AVES: Birds

• Order FALCONIFORMES: Diurnal Birds of Prey

■ Family CATHARTIDAE: New World Vultures

■ Family PANDIONIDAE: Osprey

■ Family ACCIPITRIDAE: Kites, Harriers,Eagles, and Hawks

■ Family FALCONIDAE: Caracaras and Falcons

• Order STRIGIFORMES: Owls

■ Family TYTONIDAE: Barn Owls

■ Family STRIGIDAE: Typical Owls

3

■ Turkey Vulture

4

5

Turkey VultureCathartes aura

C o m m e n t s : Vultures are sometimes mistakenlyreferred to as buzzards. They are calledTurkey Vultures because their bare, red headsresemble the heads of Wild Turkeys. In flight,they are easily recognized from the V-angle(dihedral) in which they hold their wings.Their nests are located on the ground in rockyalcoves, hollow trees and in abandoned farmbuildings. Young Turkey Vultures have blackheads and are sometimes mistakenly identi-fied as Black Vultures.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Turkey Vultures are commonlyseen soaring overhead throughout Kansasduring the warmer months of the year. Theywinter in the southern United States andMexico and are found throughout most ofSouth America.

F o o d : Turkey Vultures, unlike most birds, canfind food by smell. They commonly eat road-killed animals, either freshly killed or sun-ripened. Birders call Turkey Vultures “TV’s”so road-killed animals then become “TV dinners.”

Measurements:Length: 24-28 inchesWingspread: 63-71inchesWeight: 3.5-5.3 pounds

■ Black Vulture

6

7

Black VultureCoragyps atratus

C o m m e n t s : The Black Vulture has similar habitsto the Turkey Vulture. They will share thesame roosts and, like Turkey Vultures, areoften seen with wings outstretched to absorbthe heat of the sun. They are distinguishedfrom Turkey Vultures by their shorter tail andtheir short, broad wings with white wing tips.Adult birds have a dark gray or black head.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Black Vultures were apparentlycommon when buffalo roamed the Plains.Since settlement, they were considered a rarevisitor to southeastern Kansas. However,increased sightings may indicate their returnto the state. Black Vultures are found in thesoutheastern United States through most ofSouth America.

F o o d : Black Vultures are scavengers and eat car-rion, even if badly decomposed. UnlikeTurkey Vultures, Black Vultures have a poorsense of smell and commonly follow TurkeyVultures to carcasses.

Measurements:Length: 23-28 inchesWingspread: 55-63 inchesWeight: 3.8-5.1 pounds

■ Osprey

8

9

OspreyPandion haliaetus

C o m m e n t s : The common name of “fish hawk” iswell-deserved. No other raptor possessesgreater skills or determination to capture fish.Their feet-first, crashing dives, sometimes tak-ing them completely under the water, fol-lowed by lift-offs with a thrashing fish arespectacular to observe. Ospreys are uniquelyadapted to this hunting style with dense, oilyfeathers, unusually long legs, highly curvedtalons and feet with bizarre, spiny pads thathelp grip slippery fish. Pesticides criticallythreatened the Osprey during the DDT era ofthe 1950s.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Ospreys are found nearly world-wide. In North America, they breed through-out most of Alaska, Canada, the northwesternU.S. and along the coasts. They are notknown to nest in Kansas but are seen alonglakes, reservoirs and rivers during the springmigration in April and May and the fallmigration from September to mid-November.

F o o d : Ospreys feed almost exclusively on fish byhovering and plunging feet-first into shallowwater. Unusual prey items may includesnakes, frogs, turtles and ducklings.


■ Mississippi Kite

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Mississippi KiteIctinia mississippiensis

C o m m e n t s : With their long, pointed wings andlong tails Mississippi Kites are sometimes mis-taken for falcons. In flight, they appear uniformlybattleship gray with a light gray head that some-times appears nearly white. The eyes of adultsare dark red. In flight, kites are a joy to watch.Circling, soaring and swooping with other kitesthey drift back and forth and sometimes remainaloft for hours. So graceful and effortless is theirflight they appear to be attached to a string. Theirnests are found in mature trees in shelterbelts,windbreaks, city parks, golf courses and residen-tial neighborhoods. They are known for theiraggressive dives on intruders who venture tooclose to the nest site.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Mississippi Kites currently breedin the southern United States from centralArizona to the Atlantic Coast. They breed inKansas in the southwestern and south-centralpart of the state. A few kites breed as far northas Salina. Most kites winter in central SouthAmerica.

F o o d : Kites are skilled at capturing cicadas andgrasshoppers on the fly. They will also capturelarge insects on the ground. Occasionally, theyfeed on small birds, rodents, frogs and snakes.

Measurements:Length: 12-15 inchesWingspread: 29-33 inchesWeight: 8-13 ounces

■ Northern Harrier

12

female

male

13

Northern HarrierCircus cyaneus

C o m m e n t s : No other Kansas hawk hunts withthe low-level, buoyant, darting flight charac-teristic of the Northern Harrier. However, itsflight is similar to that of the Short-eared Owl.Both can be found hunting open grasslandsand marshes. The harrier is the only hawkwith an owl-like facial disk. This face proba-bly assists the birds in hearing small mam-mals rustling through the grass. MaleNorthern Harriers are mostly pale gray with awhite rump, and the females, approximately50 percent larger, are mostly brown with awhite rump.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Northern Harriers are found in allof North America except northern Canadaand Alaska. They are commonly found inKansas throughout the winter months.Occasionally, they remain through the sum-mer to nest on the ground in fields, grass-lands or marshes.

F o o d : Northern Harriers usually feed on small tomedium-sized mammals in open vegetation.They also eat ground-nesting birds, snakes,lizards, frogs and grasshoppers.


■ Golden Eagle

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Golden EagleAquila chrysaetos

C o m m e n t s : The Golden Eagle is the most abun-dant eagle in the world and is the largestavian raptor on North America’s westernprairies. Its eyesight is estimated to be about 8times better than humans’. It often hunts fromthe air and can make spectacular stoops, ordives, after running prey. Under the best ofconditions, it is only capable of flying withprey that weighs about half its own bodyweight. Pairs often remain together for manyyears. If one dies, the other will readily accepta new mate. Wild eagles may live over 20years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The Golden Eagle is foundthroughout the northern hemisphere. InNorth America, it is commonly found in thewestern states. In Kansas, it may be seenstatewide but is more commonly encounteredin the west.

F o o d : Golden Eagles feed primarily on mam-mals. Favorite prey includes jackrabbits, cot-tontails, prairie dogs and ground squirrels.Occasionally, they catch snakes and also feedon carrion.

Measurements:Length: 27-33 inchesWingspread: 72-87 inchesWeight: 7.5-14 pounds

■ Bald Eagle

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Bald EagleHaliaeetus leucocephalus

C o m m e n t s : With a white head and tail, darkbody and seven-foot wingspan, a mature BaldEagle is one of our most recognizable birds.In 1782, the Bald Eagle was adopted as ournational symbol. In the 1970s, the populationdropped to approximately 2,000 birds in thelower 48 states. They were listed as an“endangered species” in 1973. With the ban-ning of the chemical DDT, which caused eggfailure, the birds have made a slow but steadyrecovery. Bald Eagles were removed from thefederal endangered species list in 2007 andfrom the Kansas list in 2009. Young eagles lessthan four years of age do not have the whitehead and tail and are sometimes misidenti-fied as Golden Eagles.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The Bald Eagle is found only inNorth America. Most of its population nestsin Alaska and Canada. Through the winter,migrants are found around most of the largereservoirs and rivers in Kansas. A small num-ber of Bald Eagles have nested in Kansassince 1989.

F o o d : Dead or dying fish and waterfowl makeup most of the diet for Bald Eagles. They also feed on dead deer or livestock whenavailable.

Measurements:Length: 27-35 inchesWingspread: 71-89 inchesWeight: 8-14 pounds

■ Sharp-shinned Hawk

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Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatus

C o m m e n t s : All Accipiters have short, roundedwings and long rudder-like tails that providemaneuverability necessary in their woodlandhabitats. Sharp-shinned Hawks are robin-sized birds with bluish-gray backs, rufousbarred chests and a square tail with a narrowwhite band at the tip. Adults have red eyes.They differ drastically in size, with femalesmuch larger than males.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The North American subspeciesA. s. velox is found from Alaska throughCanada and into the southern United States.It is not a common bird in Kansas but canoccasionally be found wherever there arewooded areas and small birds. They haveoccasionally nested in northeast Kansas.

F o o d : Sharp-shinned Hawks prey almost exclu-sively on small birds, sometimes staking outbackyard bird feeders. They hunt from aninconspicuous perch or by short, low-levelflights to surprise and flush small birds fromcover. Occasionally, they eat small mammals,amphibians and insects.

Measurements:Length: 10-12 inchesWingspread: 21-25 inchesWeight: 3.6-7 ounces

■ Cooper’s Hawk

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Cooper’s HawkAccipiter cooperii

C o m m e n t s : Cooper’s Hawks are secretive, crow-sized Accipiters that prefer mixed woodlandswith patchy openings and edges rather thandense forests. Adults are slate-gray on theback with rufous, barred chests. Their longtails have dark bands with a distinct whiteband on the rounded tip. Adults have red-dish-orange eyes. Females are considerablylarger than males.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : From southern Canada throughthe United States and into northern Mexico,Cooper’s Hawks can be found wherever thereare appropriate woodlands and availableprey. In Kansas, they might be seen year-round in wooded farm lots, tree rows, ripari-an woodlands or wooded city parks. They aremore numerous in the eastern and centralparts of the state.

F o o d : Cooper’s Hawks are efficient predatorsbuilt for quick, short flights after their mostlyavian prey. They sometimes hunt from aninconspicuous perch or will fly low to theground in an attempt to surprise and flushprey. They capture small and medium-sizedbirds and, occasionally, small mammals, rep-tiles and amphibians.


■ Northern Goshawk

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Photo by Tim Kimmel

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Northern GoshawkAccipiter gentilis

C o m m e n t s : The Northern Goshawk is the largestraptor found in coniferous woodlands. It is afast, skilled flyer, weaving through the forestwith amazing agility. With a fierce disposi-tion, it is willing to take on the most challeng-ing prey. Goshawks are handsome birds withslate-gray backs and light-gray breasts withfine, horizontal barring. They have a distinct,white supercilium or eyebrow, and by theirfourth year, their eyes are dark red.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Goshawks inhabit conifer-domi-nated mixed woodlands in Alaska andCanada south into the mountains of the west-ern United States and Mexico. Many are resi-dent in their breeding territories, but a fewwill migrate south during winter. WhenRocky Mountain grouse and hare populationscrash, some birds must move into other areasto find food, including the Great Plains. TheNorthern Goshawk is a rare winter visitor toKansas with sightings scattered throughoutthe state.

F o o d : Goshawks are powerful, aggressive preda-tors that take ptarmigan, grouse, rodents,hares, rabbits, squirrels and medium-sizedbirds. They mainly hunt from a perch but willchase prey persistently when necessary.


■ Broad-winged Hawk

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Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterus

C o m m e n t s : Broad-winged Hawks are about thesize of a stocky crow and have short, pointedwings. When seen in flight, the underwingslook white with a dark border on the trailingedge of the wing. The tail has broad, blackand white bands with the dark band at theend of the tail wider than the other bands. Itis likely the most abundant soaring hawk inNorth America.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Most of the Broad-winged Hawksseen in Kansas are migrants. During the peakof migration, thousands of broadwings cancross parts of Mexico and Central America ina single day. They winter in Central andSouth America except for a small number thatstay in south Florida and coastal Texas. Thereare only a few breeding records from Kansasalong the eastern edge of the state.

F o o d : Broad-winged Hawks eat a variety of preyincluding insects, frogs, toads, salamandersand snakes. Small mammals and birds arealso taken. Openings in the forest are impor-tant hunting areas where the hawks canwatch for prey from a perch.


■ Red-shouldered Hawk

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Red-shouldered HawkButeo lineatus

C o m m e n t s : These medium-sized, secretive forestbirds are easy to identify if you are fortunateenough to see one. The rusty, red-coloredshoulders, chestnut-colored body and boldlybarred black and white tail and flight feathersgive them an elegant appearance. They preferlarge tracks of mature forest near water.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Red-shouldered Hawks are foundin eastern North America from southernCanada to northern Mexico and in the west-ern United States from the southern parts ofOregon to Baja California. Birds in the north-ern part of their range are migratory. Birds inthe southern part probably remain as pairs intheir territory throughout the year.Nationwide, populations are declining due tohabitat loss. However, populations in Kansasmay be growing due to increasing forestedareas in the east.

F o o d : Red-shouldered Hawks eat small mam-mals, reptiles, amphibians, small birds, insectsand crayfish. They hunt from a perch or whileflying.


■ Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawks show a widerange of color variants.

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Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensis

C o m m e n t s : Red-tailed Hawks come in a widerange of sizes and plumages and are adaptedto many different types of habitat. Theirplumage coloration ranges from very light tovery dark, with more variation in the westernhalf of their range. The chestnut red tail dis-tinguishes most mature birds. Tail feathers ofthe Harlan’s race have a marbled pattern ofgray, brown and white.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Red-tailed Hawks are the mostwidely distributed Buteo hawk in NorthAmerica, found from Alaska throughout mostof Canada and the United States, south intoMexico and parts of Central America. It isfound year-round in Kansas, and is common-ly seen perched on fence posts, utility polesand billboards along roadways. It is the mostcommonly encountered nesting raptor in thestate.

F o o d : Red-tailed Hawks often hunt from a perchbut sometimes while soaring. They search fora variety of prey including invertebrates, rep-tiles, birds, rodents, squirrels, rabbits andhares.


■ Swainson’s Hawk

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Swainson’s HawkButeo swainsoni

C o m m e n t s : These hawks can be found feedingand migrating in flocks totaling more than athousand. There are no recognized subspeciesof Swainson’s Hawks, but they can be light,rufous or dark morph birds. On lighter-col-ored birds a dark brown bib can be seenbetween a lighter colored chin and belly. Inflight, the leading edge of the wing is light,and the flight feathers are dark. Juvenileshave a streaked plumage.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Swainson’s Hawks breed fromsouthwestern Canada through the central andwestern United States to the northern parts ofMexico. Most birds winter in the pampas ofArgentina. Birds that breed in Canadamigrate over 6,000 miles and may take nearly2 months to do it.

F o o d : Non-breeding Swainson’s Hawks eatmostly large insects, and grasshoppers seemto be a favorite. They are often seen foragingin fields where working farm machinery dis-turbs their prey. During the breeding season,Swainson’s Hawks eat a more typical hawkdiet of rodents, rabbits, ground squirrels,birds and reptiles.


■ Rough-legged Hawk

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Rough-legged HawkButeo lagopus

C o m m e n t s : Rough-legged Hawks have feath-ered legs, giving them the “rough leg” look.Plumage color is variable with darker birdsfound in eastern North America. In lightercolored birds, white at the base of the tail isvisible. The underwing pattern shows a blackwrist patch in flight and feathers with a whitebase and dark tip.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Rough-legged Hawks are foundin North America, Greenland, Europe andAsia. The North America subspecies breedsnorth of the treeline in Canada and Alaska.They share their nesting cliff habitat withperegrine falcons and gyrfalcons. Rough-legged Hawks are one of the more abundantraptors in North America. They are regularlyseen in western Kansas during winter in openhabitats.

F o o d : While on the breeding grounds, lemmingsare Rough-legged Hawks food of choice. InKansas, voles and cotton rats provide suitablesubstitutes. Hunting is usually done from afence post or utility pole or while hovering.


■ Ferruginous Hawk

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Ferruginous HawkButeo regalis

C o m m e n t s : The Ferruginous Hawk is the largestButeo hawk in Kansas. When seen in flight,the rust-colored feathers of the legs show upwell against the light-colored abdomen andlight, unbarred tail. When the wings are inthe downstroke a white patch can be seen. Upto 10 percent of the population may be a darkmorph, but the white patch in the wingsshould still be evident.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Ferruginous Hawks are found ingrassland habitats throughout the GreatPlains and the western United States. Theyare most often seen in western Kansas. Theybuild their nests on chalk formations alongthe Smoky Hill River.

F o o d : This large hawk prefers to prey on prairiedogs, ground squirrels, gophers and jackrab-bits. Occasionally, snakes, birds and largeinsects will be eaten. Their hunting tech-niques include high soaring, hovering, lowquartering over fields or sitting near an ani-mal’s burrow waiting for the opportunity tostrike.


■ American Kestrel

36

female

male

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American KestrelFalco sparverius

C o m m e n t s : American Kestrels are the smallestfalcons in the United States and quite com-mon in Kansas. Because of their small size,they are sometimes referred to as “sparrowhawks.” Unlike other falcons, the plumage ofyoung kestrels is similar to the adult’s. Blue-gray wings and crown identify a male kestrel.Females have rusty-brown wings. Kestrels arecavity nesters, utilizing old woodpeckerholes, rocky cliffs and buildings. They alsouse properly placed nest boxes when avail-able.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : American Kestrels are found asfar north as central Alaska and the southernpart of Canada. Their range extends souththrough the United States, Mexico, Centraland South America.

F o o d : American Kestrels prefer hunting areaswith sparse vegetation and random perches.They are commonly seen on power lines orhovering along the edges of highways search-ing for prey. They feed on large insects, smallrodents, birds and reptiles.

Measurements:Length: 9-10 inchesWingspread: 21-22 inchesWeight: 3.5-5 ounces

■ Merlin

38

female

male

39

MerlinFalco columbarius

C o m m e n t s : Merlins are pigeon-sized falconswith facial markings much less distinct thanother falcons. The backs of females andimmature birds are dark brown while adultmales are slate-gray. Their breasts are boldlystreaked, and their tails have broad, darkbands.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Merlins are highly migratory, andsome winter as far south as Peru. They breedin Alaska, Canada and along the northernborder of the United States. In Kansas,Merlins are an uncommon visitor during thefall, winter and spring.

F o o d : Their main food consists of small to medi-um-sized birds. Occasionally, they eat smallrodents, reptiles, amphibians and insects.They hunt using perches, low level flight andsurprise attacks, stooping from higher eleva-tions. Sometimes, they fly into the midst of aflock of small birds to try to get a bird tobreak away, making it an easy target.

Measurements:Length: 9-12 inchesWingspread: 21-27 inchesWeight: 4.5-8.3 ounces

■ Prairie Falcon

40

41

Prairie FalconFalco mexicanus

C o m m e n t s : Prairie Falcons are birds of arid,open deserts and dry grasslands. They nest inthe western United States and Canada oncliffs and rocky outcroppings. Occasionally,they use an old hawk or raven nest. They arenot known to nest in Kansas. Prairie Falconscan be distinguished in flight from other fal-cons by dark axillaries or “armpits.”

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The Prairie Falcon is a regularresident in western Kansas in the fall, winterand spring. It is rare in eastern Kansas.

F o o d : Prairie Falcons are skilled, determinedhunters capable of taking many species ofsmall to medium-sized birds, ground squir-rels, prairie dogs, jackrabbits, lizards andlarge insects. They often hunt by flying lowand fast, flushing and taking prey by sur-prise.

Measurements:Length: 15-17 inchesWingspread: 37-43-44 inchesWeight: 1.2-1.9 pounds

■ Peregrine Falcon

42

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Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinus

C o m m e n t s : The Peregrine Falcon populationcrashed in the 1950s due to the chemical DDT,which caused eggshell thinning and reproduc-tive failure. Conservationists, falconers andgovernment agencies united to carry out oneof the largest recovery and restoration projectsever attempted. Now there are an estimated3,000 breeding pairs in North America. Theywere removed from the Endangered Specieslist in 1999.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Peregrines occur in diverse habi-tats on every continent except Antarctica. Tallcliffs are their preferred nesting sites, butsome are adapting to the “artificial cliffs” oftall buildings. They have nested in Topekaand are occasionally seen in downtownWichita. Look for them near mudflats andopen water throughout the rest of Kansas,especially around Cheyenne Bottoms andQuivira National Wildlife Refuge.

F o o d : Peregrine Falcons can fly 75 mph in levelflight but their stoop, reaching speeds of morethan 200 mph, is the maneuver that thrillsanyone privileged enough to witness it. Theirpreferred foods include many different kindsof waterfowl, shorebirds, doves, woodpeckersand songbirds.


■ Gyrfalcon

44

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Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus

C o m m e n t s : Gyrfalcons are the largest of all fal-cons. They are strongly dimorphic in size withmales weighing about 65 percent of a female’sweight. Plumages range from nearly white todark brown with various degrees of streakingand barring. They do not have the distinctfacial pattern seen in most other falcons.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The Gyrfalcon is the only diurnalraptor that inhabits the extreme northernhabitats of the arctic. It is a rare occurrence fora Gyrfalcon to come as far south as Kansas,but several have been seen in recent winters.

F o o d : Ptarmigan are the most important prey forGyrfalcons. They also take a variety of otherbirds ranging in size from large waterfowl tosmaller passerines. Occasionally, they catchhares, lemmings and ground squirrels.Gyrfalcons depend on speed and sustainedpursuit to capture their quarry.


■ Barn Owl

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Barn OwlTyto alba

C o m m e n t s : Although the Barn Owl has excel-lent night vision, its ears may be more impor-tant for hunting food. Experiments show thatprey can be located and captured by soundalone. Due to their nocturnal hunting habits,many Barn Owls remain undetected evenwhen living in close proximity to humans.Their favored roosts are high in the darkenedledges of old buildings. They also use holes incliffs, quarry walls and hollow trees. BarnOwls usually lay four to seven eggs butsometimes as many as 14. Incubation beginswhen the first egg is laid so hatching datesare staggered. A nest may contain youngbirds, nearly half-grown, along with eggsready to hatch.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The Barn Owl is the most cosmo-politan owl in the world. It is found on allcontinents except Antarctica. In Kansas, itoccurs throughout the year. Most of thebreeding records are from the western half ofthe state.

F o o d : Although primarily a rodent eater, theBarn Owl will occasionally take insects,snakes, small birds, lizards, frogs and cray-fish.


■ Eastern Screech-Owl

48

red morph

gray morph

49

Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio

C o m m e n t s : The Eastern Screech-Owl is one ofthe smallest owls. In Kansas, it occurs in twocolors. The majority are gray, but about sevenpercent of the birds are red. Males andfemales may be either color. The call of ascreech-owl is not a screech but a soft, mourn-ful, descending whinny. They are secretiveand commonly live in urban yards withoutever being seen. They spend their days in treecavities or perched in dense vegetation. Whentree cavities are not available for nesting theyreadily use artificial nest boxes.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The Eastern Screech-Owl is foundfrom eastern Colorado to the Atlantic coast. Itis common in wooded habitats in easternKansas. In the plains of western Kansas it isrestricted to the wooded areas along streamsand in towns.

F o o d : Primary prey items of Eastern Screech-Owls include rodents, small birds and insects.Fish, snakes, lizards, frogs, toads and crayfishare also eaten.


■ Great Horned Owl

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Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus

C o m m e n t s : The Great Horned Owl, commonlycalled the “hoot owl,” is the most aggressiveand powerful owl in North America. It isnamed for the obvious feather tufts on top ofits head. These feather “horns” are not ears.The ears are hidden below and slightlybehind the eyes. Their vision is superb bothday and night. This, along with an acuteauditory sense, makes locating prey a simpleprocess. Like other owls, the eyes are fixed inthe sockets and don’t move. Fourteen neckbones allow the head to pivot 270 degrees. Itis one of the first of all birds to nest in Kansas.They are commonly sitting on eggs inFebruary, occasionally in January.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The Great Horned Owl is themost widespread owl in North America. It isfound in nearly all habitats except the arctictundra. It nests statewide in Kansas.

F o o d : No other raptor in North America has adiet as varied as the Great Horned Owl. Itwill kill whatever is available, includingmammals (even skunks), birds, reptiles,amphibians, fish and insects.


■ Snowy Owl

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Snowy OwlBubo scandiacus

C o m m e n t s : A half-dozen winter observationswould be considered a major invasion ofSnowy Owls in Kansas, and many winterspass with no sightings. Male Snowy Owls canbe nearly pure white. The plumage of femalesis more heavily spotted and barred. From adistance some females may appear almostgray. Watch for them at Cheyenne Bottomsand in open country around large reservoirs.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The Snowy Owl is an arctic resi-dent. It breeds north of the tree line in tundrahabitat. It occurs in Kansas only when failingfood supplies force birds far south of theirnormal range.

F o o d : Lemmings are eaten in abundance in itsarctic habitat. In Kansas, Snowy Owls will eata variety of mammals and birds.


■ Burrowing Owl

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Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia

C o m m e n t s : Burrowing Owls are most common-ly observed around prairie dog towns, occa-sionally sitting with just their head stickingout of a hole. They are active during the dayand can be seen perched on top of mounds orfence posts. Nests are located deep in aban-doned prairie dog burrows or less frequentlyin an abandoned hole dug by a badger or fox.When the 3-10 young are about three weeksold they venture out of the hole. They can beentertaining to watch as they hop and flutterabout and bob their heads. They move theirheads in a circular motion while staring atprairie dogs and sometimes turn their headscompletely upside down as if to get a uniqueperspective.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The Burrowing Owl is found inopen grasslands throughout the western halfof the United States. Another populationoccurs in southern Florida. In Kansas,Burrowing Owls are summer residents andfound primarily in the western one-third ofthe state.

F o o d : Insects and mice make up the bulk of theBurrowing Owl’s diet. They also eat smallbirds, fish, lizards, snakes, frogs and toads.


■ Barred Owl

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Barred OwlStrix varia

C o m m e n t s : Barred Owls are found in deep,deciduous woodlands, commonly along rivervalleys. Their distinctive “who cooks for you,who cooks for you all” call is heard moreoften than the birds are seen. When severalbirds are vocal, they provide an entertainingchorus of calls accompanied by cackling andbarking. They typically nest in tree cavitiesbut sometimes use large stick nests built inprevious years by hawks or crows. TheBarred Owl and Barn Owl are the only dark-eyed owls commonly found in Kansas.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Barred Owls are found through-out the year in Kansas and occur primarily inthe eastern one-half of the state.

F o o d : The bulk of this owl’s diet consists of ratsand mice, but it also eats birds, fish, insects,snakes, turtles and crayfish.


■ Long-eared Owl

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Long-eared OwlAsio otus

C o m m e n t s : Long narrow ear tufts are the mostdistinctive field mark for this owl. They areusually held erect while the bird is perched.Long-eared Owls are distinguished fromGreat Horned Owls by their smaller size andlack of a white throat patch. During wintermonths, these owls can be found in large,communal roosts sometimes numberingdozens of birds. These roosts are usuallylocated in red cedar groves.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Long-eared Owls are uncommonbut can be found throughout Kansas. Duringthe breeding season, they are very secretive.Their nests may be located in conifers, cedarsor deciduous woodlands.

F o o d : Rodents are their primary prey, but insects,snakes and birds are also taken.


■ Short-eared Owl

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Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus

C o m m e n t s : The ear tufts on the Short-eared Owlare rather inconspicuous and rarely noticed.Short-eared Owls usually nest on the groundin prairies, hay fields and grain stubble. Inrecent years they have been found inConservation Reserve Program (CRP) grass-lands. They are often seen hunting over grass-lands with a slow, buoyant, floppy flightinterspersed with glides. In flight, they can beconfused with Northern Harriers. They canbe seen hunting during mornings and lateafternoons.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Short-eared Owls nest in verysmall numbers in Kansas. They are an irregu-lar winter resident where they occur in nativeprairies and grasslands. They sometimes joinflocks of Long-eared Owls in roosts located inred cedar groves.

F o o d : Mice, especially voles, make up nearly theentire diet of the Short-eared Owl, but theyoccasionally capture small birds.


■ Northern Saw-whet Owl Owl

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Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus

C o m m e n t s : This is Kansas’ smallest owl and isdistinguished from screech-owls by its small-er size and lack of ear tufts. It is rarelyencountered due to its nocturnal habits andpreference for spending the day roosting in atree cavity. It gets its name from its call thatresembles the metallic sound made while fil-ing a saw.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The Northern Saw-whet Owl is arare winter transient in Kansas.

F o o d : Its prey consists of small mammals, birds,frogs and insects. This tiny owl will notalways eat its entire kill, oftentimes eatingonly the head or brains of mammals andbirds.


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Rare Kansas Raptors■ S w a l l o w - t a i l e d K i t e Elanoides forficatus

According to N. S. Goss in his “History of theBirds of Kansas,” published in 1891, theSwallow-tailed Kite was an irregular summerresident around the turn of the century. Thereare four recent records, the most recent occur-ing in 2008.

■ W h i t e - t a i l e d K i t e Elanus leucurusIn 1989, a pair nested in Pottawatomie County.The nest and young were destroyed in a thun-derstorm. Additional sightings have occurredin Kiowa County in 2000, Finney County in2001 and Jefferson County in 2006.

■ H a r r i s ’s H a w k Parabuteo unicinctusThe only record of nesting Harris’s Hawkswas in Meade County in 1963. There are sixother sight records. The most recent was inCowley County in 2000.

■ G r a y H a w k Asturina nitidaTwo records have been accepted in Kansas. Itwas seen in Clay County in 1990 andSedgwick County in 2005.

■ W e s t e r n S c r e e c h - O w l Megascops kennicottiWestern Screech-Owls are rare visitors toMorton County along the Cimarron river. Apossible breeding record was reported in 1991.

■ F l a m m u l a t e d O w l Psiloscops flammeolusOne bird was observed for about 10 minutesin May of 2000 in Morton County at theCimarron National Grasslands.

FalconryFalconry, the sport of hunting wild quarry with

a trained raptor, probably originated in China around2000 B.C. Its rich history is depicted on ancient pot-tery, coins, tapestries, sculptures and paintings, aswell as in poetry and books. Often referred to as thesport of kings, falconry has been enjoyed by shoguns,priests and nuns, lords and ladies and modern dayfalconers from all walks of life.

In 1972, an amendment to theMigratory Bird Treaty Act gave protec-tion to raptors. In the United States, fal-conry became highly regulated, requir-ing federal and state permits to possessand hunt with raptors. Falconry waslegalized in Kansas in 1990.

Falconry requires a serious commit-ment. A falconer must be knowledgeableabout raptor health, behavior and train-ing methods. Proper equipment andfacilities for housing must be acquiredand maintained. Access to appropriate huntingareas is a never-ending challenge. Some days therewill only be a small amount of time and carerequired, while most days will require severalhours. The reward comes when a falconer experi-ences a successful day in the field, witnessing thedrama of predator versus prey.

If you are interested in learning more aboutfalconry visit www.n-a-f-a.com. For regulationsand licensing information contact: KansasDepartment of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, 512S.E. 25th Avenue, Pratt, KS 67124. (620-672-5911)

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Peregrine Falcon

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The Protection of RaptorsThe federal protection of migratory birds has a

long history in the United States dating back to 1916when a treaty was signed with Great Britain, onbehalf of Canada, for the protection of most migrato-ry birds. This treaty resulted in the enactment of theMigratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) in 1918, which isthe basic law in effect today. Although raptors suchas hawks and owls were not protected by the origi-nal MBTA, they were later included as an amend-ment in 1972. The Bald Eagle has been protectedsince the enactment of the Eagle Act in 1940 and the

Golden Eagle, also under the Eagle Act,since 1962. State laws and regulationstoday likewise protect all migratory birds.

The precise language in the MBTAstates, “Unless and except as permitted byregulations made as hereinafter provided,it shall be unlawful at any time, by anymeans or in any manner, to pursue, hunt,take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture,or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer tobarter, barter, offer to purchase, purchase,deliver for shipment, ship, export, import,

cause to be shipped, exported, or imported, deliverfor transportation, transport or cause to be trans-ported, carry or cause to be carried, or receive forshipment, transportation, carriage, or export, anymigratory bird, any part, nest, or egg of any suchbird, or any product, whether or not manufactured,which consists, or is composed in whole or in part,of any such bird or any part, nest or egg.”

As you can see from this legal language,migratory birds are highly regulated. Some migrato-ry birds, like waterfowl can be legally hunted and

Swainson’s Hawk

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possessed. However, there is no such provision forraptors. Eagles, ospreys, hawks, falcons, kites, owls,vultures and all other native North American birdsof prey are strictly protected, to include a prohibi-tion against the taking or possession of their partssuch as feathers or talons. The only exceptions gen-erally allowed for individuals to these prohibitionsrequire permits from the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService. Educational and scientific institutions areexempted from most permit requirements.

Penalties for violations of the MBTA can reach$15,000 and six months imprisonment for commonviolations. The sale or barter of migratory birds is afelony with penalties up to $500,000 and two yearsimprisonment. Some raptors are also protectedunder the Endangered Species Act, and both theBald and Golden Eagles are also protected underthe Eagle Act.

Questions concerning the protection of raptorsshould be directed to a local state ConservationOfficer or the nearest office of the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service.

John BrooksU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Bald Eagle

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Pocket Guides Bob Gress, Editor

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Single copies of these Pocket Guides may be picked up free at theGreat Plains Nature Center. Copies can be mailed for $3.00 each bysending your check, payable to GPNC, to: Pocket Guides, GreatPlains Nature Center, 6232 East 29th Street North, Wichita, KS 67220.

Great Plains Nature CenterThe Great Plains Nature Center is a cooperative project between

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kansas Department of Wildlife andParks and the City of Wichita Department of Park and Recreation.The Nature Center features the Koch Habitat Hall, Owl’s Nest GiftShop, Coleman Auditorium and 2 miles of Chisholm Creek Parknature trails. For more information visit the Great Plains NatureCenter web site at www.gpnc.org. Please visit or contact us at: GreatPlains Nature Center, 6232 East 29th Street North, Wichita, KS67220. Phone: (316) 683-5499.

Petroleum Corporation, manufacturesvinyls and specialty chemical products,plus chlorine and caustic soda – thebuilding blocks of pharmaceuticals,water disinfectants and detergents.OxyChem endeavors to safeguard theenvironment, protect the safety andhealth of employees and neighboringcommunities.

Oxy’s Wichita Plant has a 440-acrePrairie Wetland Conservation Area con-sisting of wetlands and native grasses.The site is home to numerous wildlifeand is certified as a Wildlife at Work siteand as a Corporate Lands for Learningsite by the Wildlife Habitat Council.

Westar Energy Green TeamWestar Energy, Inc. is the largest utility

in Kansas serving nearly 700,000 cus-tomers with about 35,000 miles of trans-mission and distribution lines. Since 1989,their employees have operated an environ-mental team. The Green Team membersvolunteer hours to improve wildlife habitatthrough wetland creation and restorationand native grass and tree planting. Theybuild bridges and trails and work to protectand reintroduce sensitive plant and animalspecies. The Green Team can be contactedat 785-575-8125 or [email protected].

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Chickadee CheckoffThe Chickadee Checkoff program is a

voluntary donation program for nongameprojects sponsored by the KansasDepartment of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.Kansas taxpayers are able to contribute ontheir individual state income tax form.Donations can also be made by sending acheck to Chickadee Checkoff Program, 512SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124. Since 1980,the Chickadee Checkoff program has distrib-uted over $4 million to projects that helpendangered species, assist in reintroductionefforts of sensitive species, supports wildlifeeducation projects at schools and naturecenters, and supports hundreds of othernongame conservation projects.

Glenn Springs Holdings Inc. / Occidental ChemicalCorporation

Glenn Springs Holdings, Inc. (GSHI)manages environmental restoration proj-ects for Occidental PetroleumCorporation. Our scientists, engineersand managers are dedicated to preserv-ing the environment. Lands once degrad-ed by industrial activities are remediatedto restore natural habitat and nourishwildlife.

Occidental Chemical Corporation(OxyChem), a subsidiary of Occidental

Bob Gress is the former director of the Great Plains Nature Center andthe co-founder of www.BirdsInFocus.com.

Vanessa Avara is the Assistant Director of the Milford Nature Centerand a Master Falconer.

©2013 Great Plains Nature Center

Documents

48421 KS Raptors:48421 KS Raptors - Kansas ECO-Meetkansasecomeet.org/ecomeet/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/KSRaptorsv3.pdf · Adult birds have a dark gray or black head. Distribution:Black