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About Hawks and Owls
HAWK "Hawk" is a general term used to describe the entire group of diurnal ("active by day") predatory birds. Worldwide there are approximately 270 species of carnivorous birds that comprise the order Falconiformes - the scientific name for hawk. All are classified as birds of prey, or raptors. Although all hawks have certain basic similarities such as keen eyesight, hooked beaks and taloned feet, a wide diversity of forms exists among them. For instance, an American Kestrel weights only 4 ounces, while a Bald Eagle can weigh 13 pounds - 52 times as much. Hawks are effective predators. They catch, kill, and eat a wide variety of other animals in order to survive. This predation is not mean or cruel. It has been going on for millions of years and is, in fact, a necessary function which helps to maintain nature's balance. Hawks are strong, powerful birds. Their feet are equipped with sharp, curved talons for capturing prey, and their strong beaks are hooked for biting and tearing flesh. Swift fliers, some hawks can attain speeds of over 150 miles per hour when diving. Some species undertake long migrational journeys, traveling thousands of miles each year - a testimony to their strength and stamina.Their sense of hearing is excellent, and their eyesight is the best in the entire animal world. Not only can hawks see greater distances than humans, but their visual acuity (the ability to see clearly) is eight times that of ours. Hawks also see in color. In many animal species the males are larger and stronger, but in hawks the difference in size between the sexes is reversed, and females are larger. This sexual difference is often appreciable. In some species such as the Sharp-shinned Hawks, females can weigh twice as much as the males. Here in the West, hawks typically breed in the late spring or early summer. Most hawks pair for life, but if one partner dies, the other will quickly find a new mate. Some pairs remain together year round; others may separate after the breeding season. The allegiance to the breeding site is strong, however, and even those that migrate or disperse will normally return to the same nesting territory and the same mate each year. Larger hawks lay only one or two eggs each year, small hawks from three to five. Incubation takes three to six weeks depending on the species. After hatching, the young hawks "grow up" very quickly. Small hawks, like Kestrels and Sharp-shinned hawks, grow to full size in one month: large species, like eagles, are full grown in only 11 weeks. The young leave the nest (fledge) at this time, but often remain with their parents for several more weeks before attaining total independence. All hawks are protected by state and federal laws. It is illegal to capture or kill a hawk, or to possess a hawk, alive or dead, without proper permits from local state governments as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Because they are predators, hawks have historically been regarded by many people as vermin. In the past, they were seen as wanton killers - cruel and harmful creatures. They are, like all living things, important parts of a diverse and intricate natural world. The protection of that natural world is of paramount importance to their well-being, and to ours. OWLS Have you ever heard that an owl can turn its head completely around? Or that owls are blind in daylight? Or that the feather tufts on an owl's head are its ears? Or that if you hear an owl it means bad luck? These are all misconceptions that have been passed down through generations. Let's set the record straight. Owls can rotate their heads three-quarters of the way around. They cannot move their eyes from side to side but have extremely flexible necks and can move their heads rather quickly - thus the illusion of a complete turn. Owls see perfectly well during the day, and exceptionally well at night. Owls have the best hearing of all birds. Their ears are located on the sides of their heads and are hidden by feathers. The so-called "ear-tufts" on the top of the head aid in camouflage and recognition between individuals and have nothing to do with hearing. If you hear an owl calling, consider yourself fortunate.... even more fortunate to observe one in the wild. Owls are predators - they catch, kill and eat other animals in order to survive. This predation is neither cruel nor wasteful and has been going on for millions of years. It seldom upsets anything except perhaps a few people. An owl killing and eating another animal is no different from a robin eating a worm or a gull eating a fish. Although some owl species are diurnal (active by day), most owls hunt at night and are seldom observed by humans. Because of this nocturnal (nighttime) existence, they are little known and often misunderstood, even though some owls live their entire lives in close proximity to people. Hunting at night, owls use their extraordinary vision and excellent hearing to locate their prey. Special adaptations such as wide wings, lightweight bodies and unusually soft, fluffy feathers allow them to fly silently. Owls seize their prey, usually a rodent or other small mammal, and kill it with their powerful feet. If the prey is small enough, it is swallowed whole; otherwise the food is torn apart by the owl's strong, hooked beak. The owl's digestive system assimilates the nutritious portions of the prey; the undigested parts, such as hair, bones, claws, teeth, etc., are regurgitated in the form of pellets. These pellets, found at roosting sites, can be examined to determine the owl's diet. There are eighteen species of owls in North America. Some species, like the Screech Owl and the Great Horned Owl, live in one place year round; others, like the Saw-whet Owl and the Short-Eared Owl and the Burrowing Owl will travel long distances. All owls are protected by state and federal regulations. It is illegal to capture or kill an owl; it is also illegal to possess an owl, living or dead, without the proper permits from local state governments, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Owls pose no threat to humans, although adult birds will defend their territory and their young against any intruders, human or otherwise. Unfortunately, superstitions and the untruths about owls will persist which have subjected this group of birds to unwarranted suspicion and persecution. We hope, with the knowledge and understanding of the owl's true character, these fears and misgivings will be replaced by tolerance and respect for these unique birds. |
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Raptor Rehabilitation Center 2522 Locust Street Quincy, Illinois 62301 (217) 228-1982 |