The Season of Raptors
When the seasons change in Santa Clara Valley, nature enthusiasts delight at the sight of birds of prey traveling through the region. The fall typically signals the autumn migration for raptors in search of warmer weather while the spring is known as a time when raptors migrate back to their original, cooler habitats to mate. Because of their almost-constant movement from the North to the South and vice versa, Santa Clara Valley residents have the privilege of seeing these great-winged birds soaring through the sky throughout most of the year.
Golden eagle
These charismatic birds are found all over the South Bay, as they typically love grasslands and oak woodlands, and build large nests in wooded areas. In other parts of the country, these are migratory birds, flying south in the winter and north in the summer, but the ones locally are here year-round. Golden eagles are on the larger end of the spectrum – typically two to three feet long, with a wingspan of 6-8 feet -- and like to eat small mammals, reptiles, and fish.
Fun fact: These birds are often spotted at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.
Ferruginous Hawk
These unique birds are known for their "pants" – or feathers that go all the way down to their ankles.
These broad-winged – or “buteo” hawks -- hawks prefer open grasslands, foothills and deserts and migrate through Santa Clara Valley between September and April. They like to hunt their prey in open areas where they can soar overhead and dive, and they prefer nesting in trees. Ferruginous hawks are big fans of prairie dogs and rabbits and will occasionally hunt birds, snakes or large insects.
Red-tailed hawk
In other parts of the country, these iconic raptors migrate north and south, but the red-tailed hawks in the Santa Clara Valley tend to stay local. Red-tailed hawks, like ferruginous hawks, are broad-winged and are adapted for soaring in the air. They, too, prefer deserts, woodlands, grasslands and high perches for hunting.
Did you know: can you think of the popular bald eagle cry heard in movies? Well, it’s actually the cry of a red-tailed hawk.
Peregrine falcon
Peregrine falcons also typically migrate north in the winter and south in the summer, but the California-locals prefer to stay here year-round. These creatures are generalists which means they hunt any prey they can within their region, and can adapt and thrive in a range of areas, especially in urban environments.
In San José, for example, peregrine falcons build nests on the top of the city hall building, showing us that nature isn’t just something outside of city borders – it's all around us!
These raptors are aerial hunters, quickly diving from high altitudes to snatch birds out of the sky, and then immediately getting airborne again.
Fun fact: Peregrine falcons are the fastest animal on earth, clocking in at 240mph.
Prairie falcon
Prairie falcons are grassland hunters so they're unable to survive in urban areas the way their peregrine counterparts do. They hunt a wide variety of prey, often other birds and small mammals like rodents. They have been spotted on all the Open Space Authority’s properties, including the grasslands of Máyyan 'Ooyákma –Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve.
These critters are notorious for their brown backs, pale-edged feathers and dark markings where their wings connect to their bellies.
White-tailed kite
White-tailed kites are another iconic Bay Area raptor. For decades, California has been the primary location of white-tailed kites in North America. These unique birds of prey are characterized by small, hooked beaks, long white wings, and deep red eyes. Thriving in riparian corridors and oak savannas near grasslands, this habitat gives the white-tailed kite the ability to perch in the lightly wooded areas to rest and observe the neighboring grassland.
These birds are known for their unusual hunting technique; “kiting” or hovering, in mid-air to catch their prey – mainly small mammals.
Did you know: White-tailed kites almost went extinct in the early 20th century, before conservation efforts brought them back to their now flourishing levels.
American kestrel
American kestrels are the smallest falcon in the United States, at approximately nine to 12 inches long.
Kestrels are cavity nesters, preferring to nest in dead trees, dirt banks or cliffs found in open space, cities, wood edges and, in particular, agricultural lands.
These falcons are also year-round residents due to California’s stable climate, but in other locations, females often migrate first and grab the best nesting sites for the males to meet them later. If there aren’t breeding pairs, males must fend for themselves.
Bald eagle
Bald eagles – America’s national bird – are a rare sight in Santa Clara Valley, but can occasionally be seen soaring above Coyote Valley. They are well recognized by their brown body and wings, white head and tail, and yellow hooked beak and talons.
These raptors nest in very large trees, typically close to bodies of water for hunting, and make stick nests that get up to six feet wide and three feet deep. In addition to fish, bald eagles hunt mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Osprey
Another regal raptor found in the Bay Area is the osprey. Ospreys thrive in areas with lakes or deep rivers that make for good fishing, as they eat almost entirely fish. If no lakes or rivers are available, small bodies of water or coastlines will do.
Often confused with eagles, osprey can be identified by their banded tail, white body and black face stripe.
Swainson's hawk
One of the rarer raptors in the area, the Swainson’s hawk isn’t frequently spotted, but can be occasionally seen hunting in open and semi-open country, grasslands and agricultural lands, and nesting in tall trees.
This broad-winged hawk looks similar to the red-tailed hawk, especially when juveniles, but becomes darker grey as it ages.
Cooper's hawk
Cooper's hawk is an “accipiter,” or a raptor with round wings and a long tail, best adapted for flying in a woodland environment.
These critters primarily hunt small birds and mammals, and they build stick nests in deciduous or coniferous trees.
Sharp shinned hawk
Similar to the Cooper’s hawk, sharp shinned hawks hunt small mammals in heavily wooded areas. But, unlike the Cooper's hawk, sharp shinned hawks primarily feed on songbirds.
Female sharp shinned hawks are generally larger than males, reaching a similar size to a male Cooper's hawk. Sharp shinned hawks are typically 9 to 14 inches big and have forward, rounded-end wings.
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Photo credits: Golden eagle - David Mauk; Ferruginous hawk - David Mauk; Red-tailed hawk - Beth Hamel; Peregrine falcon - David Mauk; Prairie falcon - ; White-tailed kite - David Mauk; American kestrel - David Mauk; Bald eagle - Ron Horii; Osprey - David Mauk; Swainsons hawk - Canva; Coopers hawk - David Mauk; Sharp shinned hawk - David Mauk
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