Colorado Raptors

Colorado is one of the best places in the United States to watch Birds of Prey. There are several species of Hawks, Falcons, Owls, Eagles and Vultures. Chances are you've seen the most common raptor in the U.S. on light-posts, trees or soaring wide circles overhead. This is the Red-tailed Hawk or, for you scientists, Buteo Jamaicensis. The Red-Tailed Hawk was named for its rusty red tail feathers that grow in upon reaching adulthood. Another common raptor is the American Kestrel, the smallest falcon in North America standing only 10 inches tall and weighing just under 4 ounces. Unlike most birds of prey, the American Kestrel is very colorful. The males are blue and orange, and the females are a coppery brown color. This makes it very easy to identify their gender while bird-watching.

Male American Kestrel 

http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/american_kestrel_1.htm

While bird-watching here in Colorado, I have seen some birds of prey that are not as common. While driving around an area near some farms and a small canyon, I saw what I thought was another Red Tail. I then saw a white patch above a brown tail and a pure white belly. It flew in a V pattern very close to the ground. I had no idea what it was so I opened up my bird guide and found a perfect match. The Northern Harrier. I have never seen one since then. This past summer, I saw a couple groups of Golden Eagle soaring very high in the sky. Golden Eagles aren't very rare but aren't seen as much as other raptors. This is the same with Bald Eagles. It is always amazing to see Eagles because of their huge size and the way they soar effortlessly at very high altitudes. Another very cool bird to see are Peregrine Falcons. Like fighter jets, they are very small but very fast and powerful. 

Owls can be seen at night all throughout Colorado. You can often see a horned silhouette of a Great Horned Owl against a dim dusk sky or hear a soft "hoo hoo"  of an owl on your roof. Of course owls are hard to watch due to their nocturnal nature but if you find a nest, you can watch the parents tend to their eggs or chicks. Some owls we have are Barn Owls, Great Horned Owls, Long-eared Owls, Short-eared Owls, Northern Saw-Whet owls, and Boreal Owls.

As you can see, Colorado has a huge variety of raptor species that are very fun to watch. So get out your binoculars and go bird-watching in Colorado.