The Inimitable Raptor

There are many birds of prey which fall under the category of raptor, including a variety of species. Common characteristics are sharp talons, a hooked beak, and carnivorous hunting or feeding on carrion. 

The term comes from the Latin “rapere,” to seize, and encompasses eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, ospreys, and owls. 

The behaviors of these magnificent creatures are often compelling to observe in the wild, and as habitat shrinks, in populated areas as well. 

On a sweeping, windy day, I am fortunate to see a peregrine falcon fly across the open sky in front of me, its white underside gleaming in the light, angelic. Often such sightings are serendipitous, elusive, and brief. This bird has stunning patterns of varied coloration, and is the fastest animal on the planet, flying at speeds of 200 mph to knock avian prey out of the sky.

I once took a falconry workshop in New Hampshire, and had the opportunity to hold a peregrine falcon on my gloved hand. It was love at first sight, on my part, as we gazed at each other, its exquisite dark eyes, facial designs and artistically patterned breast mesmerizing. 

There are a number of adaptations which allow this streamlined, compact, and long-winged bird to fly at such speeds, another wonder of nature. One local overwintering bird has made its territory a church tower, an old factory roof, a fire station tower, and naked, dead tree branches overlooking the now rushing river..

Near a cove, a friend has a close view of a bald eagle attack on a falcon on the ground, hidden in bushes. They lock talons and fight before separating and flying in different directions, both safe for now. 

In Woburn, three is a tall, vertical granite cliff arising out of a patch of grass near the parking lot of a strip mall. A variety of species, including pigeons and ravens, nest in crannies in the rock face. A pair of falcons has made this their nesting ground for the breeding season every year, and a devoted group of followers come daily to observe these raptors closely. The habitat was created by a quarry.

In our own locale, I have had the opportunity to observe a pair of regal bald eagles create a nest, and raise offspring for several seasons. Mass Wildlife sends out banders to climb the tall white pine nest tree, collect the young birds one at a time, bagging them to lower to the team below. There, on the ground, they are examined and weighed, and an identifying band placed on each leg. As they hold the bird, we are allowed to lay a gentle hand on a wing, a memory treasure.  

One day, after the leaves have finally fallen, we spot a red-tailed hawk in the crotch of bare tree branches, voraciously plucking and devouring its squirrel prey. Gray fur flies in the wind, and the bird is intent, rapt, tearing off pieces to eat, with that hooked beak, holding its prey in place with those razor sharp talons. At one point it seems to bite off too much, and we watch it shake its head, trying to dislodge the obstruction, for a full 10 minutes at least. It is difficult to watch, as we are unable to help. Finally, it yanks off another piece and swallows it comfortably!

Many people are averse to raptors, but everybody has to make a living out there in our urban wilderness. These birds struggle to catch prey, often trying again and again before succeeding. They are in survival mode, and in season are relentless in feeding their own young. 

The snowy owls which come to our north shores in winter from the Arctic to feed, seem to be magical, ethereal, otherworldly raptors, as they perch on beaches, salt flats, and even roofs. The first time spotting that patch of white, and seeing it in binoculars, is a moment when time seems to stop. In wintering grounds they feed on lemmings, and on small rodents here. Certain years, prey is scarce in the Arctic, and many birds spend a long winter with us. Some are almost pure white, with intense yellow eyes, other speckled in patterns of black and white. Here, they are lone creatures.

Years ago a family of red-tailed hawks nested on a ledge on a building on Alewife Brook Parkway, and developed a devoted following. Folks settled in with lawn chairs, coolers, and binoculars, forming a congenial group. I came by late in the season, after two of the three offspring had fledged, ie, flown from the nest. I decided to go at dawn the next day, and arrived just after the last, very large young hawk had vacated the nest. It was on the ground in the small parking lot, walking on clumsy white legs, then flying across the highway to a low wall, and then to a Whole foods. It tried to fly high up to the top, but I think its weight deterred it. After landing on shopping carts, it tried getting a running start to fly high, unsuccessfully. 

It began to run toward me, the tallest thing around, and I ducked! Meanwhile, the birders had set up scopes across from the nest and were busy watching the empty nest as I yelled and pointed, to no avail. Eventually it flew up a bit higher and was met by a parent which took it to a tree behind some stores! Intuition can be very powerful.

Vultures can be identified by their flight pattern, as they shift from side to side in a dihedral position. In their search for carrion, they fly low. On my walk one day, I saw many dog walkers, runners and other walkers, but no one saw these massive birds just barely above  the treetops. 

Although our raptors can be daunting to watch at times, we can also be fascinated by their power, skill, intelligence, and beauty. Nature watching is best when one has that special moment of being in the right place at the right time.