Sep 20, 2018
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
*This is an excerpt from Common Birds of Prey of Alabama, ANR – 1386.
Averaging less than 7 ounces, the sharp-shinned hawk is one of Alabama’s smallest raptors. Most of Alabama falls only within its winter range, but they are found year round in some northern counties. Sharp-shinned hawks are mostly gray birds with darkly banded tails and reddish barred breasts. Very few characteristics distinguish this species from the closely related Cooper’s hawk. Distinguishing features include a shorter, more squared tail than that of the Cooper’s hawk as well as a smaller head and thinner legs. Feeding primarily on smaller songbirds, sharp-shinned hawks prefer mixed forests and pine forests.
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*This is an excerpt from Common Birds of Prey of Alabama, ANR – 1386
The great horned owl is the largest and probably most common owl species in Alabama. Though most easily identified by their large size and widely spaced ear tufts, great horned owls are mostly gray above and barred beneath with rusty-orange feathers around their eyes. Common habitats include agricultural fields, forests, and forest edges, but these birds can be found in almost any habitat harboring enough prey to support them.
Read here to learn more about common birds of prey of Alabama.
Download a PDF of Common Birds of Prey of Alabama, ANR – 1386.
*This is an excerpt from Common Birds of Prey of Alabama, ANR – 1386
Found primarily in large forests, barred owls are easily identified by the brown streaks visible on their bellies and their lack of ear tufts. These birds also have dark eyes, which distinguish them from most other eastern owls, which have yellow eyes.
Read here to learn more about common birds of prey of Alabama.
Download a PDF of Common Birds of Prey of Alabama, ANR – 1386.
*This is an excerpt from Common Birds of Prey of Alabama, ANR – 1386.
Found year round throughout Alabama, Cooper’s hawks are similar to sharp-shinned hawks. Averaging around one pound, Cooper’s hawks are larger than sharp-shinned hawks. Almost identical in coloration, Cooper’s hawks can be distinguished from sharpshinned hawks by their longer, rounder tails, larger heads and straighter wings. As with sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper’s hawks eat mostly smaller songbirds and are found in and around forests.
Read here to learn more about common birds of prey of Alabama.
Download a PDF of Common Birds of Prey of Alabama, ANR – 1386.