Nebraskaland

62 Nebraskaland • July 2023 MIXED BAG Hawks are some of the most commonly seen birds in Nebraska. Often, all you have to do to find one is look up. These raptors, or birds of prey, usually perch on fence posts, overlooking branches and sometimes, at your bird feeder — any elevated spot where they can scan the ground to look for food. While each species of hawk has its own unique characteristics, they all have several features in common, such as sharp eyesight, hooked beaks and sharp talons (claws). Hawks are unusual among birds in that the female is generally larger than her mate. This sexual dimorphism can sometimes mean that a female is twice the size of the male. Where they are different, hawks can vary significantly in size. They can be small, large, chunky, red, brown, white, spotted … and they live in a variety of habitats all across the state. But first, let's dive into how hawks are categorized based on their size and features. Scientifically, hawks are divided into two groups: buteo and accipiter. Buteos & Accipiters Buteos include medium- to large-size hawks with heavy bodies, short tails and relatively long, wide wings. These birds tend to fly by flapping slowly for a few strokes and then gliding into a series of tight circles until they gain enough altitude to soar. Common buteos in Nebraska include red- tailed hawks, Swainson's hawks and ferruginous hawks. Accipiters are small- to medium-size woodland hawks with slender bodies, long, narrow tails and short, stubby rounded wings. These birds are compact, which helps them maneuver around trees while pursuing prey, which is normally other, smaller birds. They fly in a consistent pattern of short, quick bursts of flap-flap-flap patterns. Common accipiters you will see in Nebraska include the sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper's hawks. With there being over 270 species of hawks in the world, telling them apart can be confusing. Let's look at a few hawk species that call Nebraska home. One might be perching right outside your window at this moment. Red-tailed Hawk These birds are large with a red tail — hence their name. They are mostly brownish on their backs with a pale belly. Red-tailed hawks have earned the title "most prevalent hawk in North America." If you are ever traveling in Nebraska by car along I-80, or any other highway for that matter, you have most likely seen one of these birds perched on a telephone pole or a fence post. More than likely, these birds have their eyes fixed on the ground looking for the movements of a vole, rabbit or waiting to catch a thermal to ride into the sky. Red-tailed hawks also have that quintessential raspy scream that sounds like a true raptor. Many sound effect directors will actually substitute the red-tailed hawk's screech for eagle noise. Eagles make more of a clacking noise, while redtails have a raspy, shrill cry. Cooper's Hawk Cooper's hawks may be one of the most skillful fliers among raptors. These birds are medium size with a blue-gray head, neck, back and upper wings. They also have distinctive rusty-red, horizontal barring on their white breasts. However, Cooper's are often confused with the s h a r p - s h i n n e d hawk as they have many of the same patterns and colors. This hawk spec ies loves to hang around b i r d f e e d e r s , but they aren't checking out the sunf lower seeds you've put out — they're looking to prey on smaller birds that are snacking at your feeder. Cooper's hawks are found all over Nebraska, but they prefer forests and woodlands. Although, tree-dense suburban areas work just fine. This bird has a unique strategy for killing its prey: They capture food with their feet and then repeatedly squeeze it until it dies. They've even been known to hold a bird underwater until it stops moving. HAWKS OF NEBRASKA By Monica Macoubrie Red-tailed hawk. CHRIS MASADA Cooper's hawk. BOB GRIER, NEBRASKALAND

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