40 Birds of Prey Discovered within the USA! (2024)

OWLS

#12. Nice Horned Owl

• Size: 17-25 in (43 – 64 cm)
• Weight: 2.5 to 4 lbs (1134 – 1814 g)
• Wingspan: 3 – 5 ft (91-153 cm)

Nice Horned Owls are frequent birds of prey in america.

Actually, these raptors can truly be discovered virtually wherever in North America, from the Arctic to the tropics. Its habitat is virtually limitless so long as there are bushes and rocky nesting websites out there. It’s onerous to discover a hen that may adapt higher than a Nice Horned Owl.

Nice Horned Owl Vary Map

These owls are massive and look fierce! To determine them, search for their lengthy tufts of feathers that resemble ears on their head.

Additionally, try their intimidating eyes. I do know I might not need to have a staring contest with one!

Each sexes hoot, however males are lower-pitched than females. Males give territorial calls that may be heard a number of miles away at night time. I don’t suppose there’s one other owl species that does hooting higher than a Nice Horned Owl!

#13. Barred Owl

• Size: 16–25 in (40–63 cm)
• Weight: 1–2.75 lbs (500–1250 g)
• Wingspan: 38–49 in (96–125 cm)

Barred Owls are a standard raptor present in america. The identify “barred” derives from the horizontal stripes of alternating gentle brown and darkish brown on the wings, again, and tail.

Barred Owls are the kind of owl I’ve noticed probably the most within the wild. They’re inquisitive and can typically keep and watch as you stroll previous them. Even when they get nervous as you method, they usually fly off to a different close by tree to proceed observing.

Barred Owl Vary Map

Barred Owls depend on mice and different small rodents however eat virtually something product of meat! They may readily seize rats, rabbits, bats, squirrels, moles, minks, weasels, opossums, quite a lot of birds, frogs, snakes, fish, and turtles, and can even hunt round your nightly campfire to catch some candy, juicy bugs.

And talking of classical noises, their hoots are the basic sounds featured in motion pictures and scary Halloween tales. It’s straightforward to acknowledge their name because it appears like they’re asking, “Who cooks for you.” Barred Owls will pontificate throughout sunlight hours, too, and so they mate for all times.

#14. Lengthy-eared Owl

• Size: 31 and 40 cm (12 and 16 in)
• Weight: 288 g – 327 g (10.2 oz – 11.5 oz)
• Wingspan: 86 to 102 cm (34 in to 40 in)

Lengthy-eared Owls are often known as the Northern Lengthy-Eared Owl, Lesser Horned Owl, or Cat Owl due to their catlike facial options.

They’re secretive and roost in very dense foliage. Mixed with their wonderful camouflage, these birds of prey are EXTREMELY onerous to identify in america!

As you’ll be able to see, these owls get their identify from the lengthy tufts of feathers on their heads. These ear tufts resemble exclamation factors, so Lengthy-eared Owls typically seem to be they’ve a shocked look on their face.

Lengthy-eared Owl Vary Map

Amongst owls, these guys are distinctive by being fairly sociable. They’re recognized to stay in clusters and even share roosts!

Since Lengthy-eared Owls will be extremely onerous to see, one of the best ways to find them is to pay attention! Throughout the mating season, males are fairly talkative. Their typical name is repeated wherever from 10 to 200 instances and appears like a low “hoo,” evenly spaced each few seconds.

#15. Japanese Screech-Owl

• Size: 6.3– 9.8 in (16–25 cm)
• Weight: 4.2–8.6 oz. (120–244 g)
• Wingspan: 18–24 in (46–61 cm)

Screech-owls might remind you {of professional} wrestlers since they’re brief, stocky, and don’t have any necks!

These owls can both be gray or crimson, with a couple of third of all people being crimson.  

These small raptors are present in wooded areas in america. They don’t appear to thoughts individuals an excessive amount of as they’re snug nesting on prime of streetlamps, subsequent to busy roadways/highways, or inside areas in populated buildings.

Japanese Screech-owl Vary Map

Japanese Screech-owls make quite a lot of hoots, calls, and songs, however their hottest is an even-pitched trill, typically known as a tremolo. The tremolo is utilized by pairs to maintain in touch with one another and lasts between 3 to six seconds. I believe this tremolo name sounds loads like mating toads, and I typically get the 2 confused!

#16. Western Screech-Owl

• Size: 7.5–10 inches (19–28 cm)
• Weight: 3.5–11 oz. (100–300 grams)
• Wingspan: 22–24 inches (55–62 cm)

As soon as upon a time, Western Screech-owls had been considered the identical hen because the Japanese Screech-owl, however analysis has decided that they’re two distinct species.

Western Screech-owls will be present in forests, however you’ll additionally discover them in suburban parkland, deserts, farm fields, and any primary shrubland. They’re a comparatively frequent hen of prey within the western United States.

Western Screech-owl Vary Map

The first meals of a Western Screech-owl embody rats, mice, and birds. However they’re opportunistic hunters and also will eat fish, amphibians, and invertebrates, corresponding to crayfish, bugs, earthworms, and slugs.

Western Screech-owl calls should not “screechy,” because the identify suggests. The most typical sound is a reasonably quiet, nice trill (“hoo-hoo-hoo” or “cr-r-oo-oo-oo”), which hastens on the finish however maintains a continuing pitch.

#17. Snowy Owl

• Size: 20.7–25.2 inches (52.5–64 cm)
• Weight: 3.2–4 lb. (1,465–1,800 gram)
• Wingspan: 48–60 inches (1.2–1.5 meters)

Snowy Owls get my vote for probably the most lovely raptor in america!

Their beautiful white plumage stops virtually everybody of their tracks, each birders and non-birders alike! Snowy Owls are principally white, however they do have horizontal darkish strains throughout their our bodies besides the face and breast. Curiously, people appear to get whiter with age.

Snowy Owl Vary Map

Snowy Owls migrate with the altering seasons. Throughout the summer season, they mate and breed in arctic tundra. However when the winter arrives, these birds come south.

You by no means know the way far south Snowy Owls will journey. Most winters, Snowy Owls solely seem as far down because the northern USA. However some years, there’s an “irruption” of Snowy Owls, and lots of extra birds than regular migrate south.

When defending their territory or looking for a mate, males make a loud “hoo, hoo.” This hoot is so loud that it may be heard as much as 7 miles away on the tundra! Females hardly ever hoot, however different noises (for each sexes) embody cackles, shrieks, hissing, and invoice snapping.

#18. Nice Grey Owl

• Size: 24 – 33 in (61–84 cm)
• Weight: 1.5 – 4 lb (580–1,900 g)
• Wingspan: 5 ft (1.5 m)

Nice Grey Owls are the biggest owl in america!

When you’re fortunate sufficient to see one, they’re beautiful raptors. Many individuals suppose they appear to be they’re carrying a gray go well with with a bowtie round its neck!

These owls cowl plenty of territory of their vary, however they like to stay in a forest close to a clearing. It’s instrumental within the wintertime, as they want plenty of space for listening to rodents working beneath the snow to allow them to crash by means of and catch lunch! As a result of they’re so huge, they require plenty of meals, consuming as much as 7 rodents each day.

Nice Grey Owl Vary Map

Gray Grey Owls NEVER construct nests. They only use those that different huge birds made. Speak about being environment friendly! Nevertheless, as soon as they declare a used nest, these owls will defend it courageously, even in opposition to black bears!

Their name within reason distinctive, daring, and deep, sounding like “whooooo, woo, woo, woo.“ Additionally they have a comfortable double hoot used when offering meals to their infants or defending a territory.

#19. American Barn Owl

Barn Owls (aka Church Owl, Ghost Owl, and Monkey-faced Owl) have a heart-shaped face that’s sandy-colored with a darkish brown edge. Curiously, the form of an owl’s face steers sound to their ears, which helps make them environment friendly hunters.

Their listening to is so good that they’ll find small animals beneath dense brush or snow with ease, and so they even hunt bats!

Barn Owl Vary Map

Barn Owls are non-migratory and have a tendency to inhabit deserted barns (therefore the identify). Although severely endangered in lots of components of their vary, farmers love them as a result of they preserve surrounding property pretty rodent-free, defending different animals from the illnesses that mice and rats carry.

They don’t “hoot” within the classical trend of different owls. Their distinctive screechy sound is much extra paying homage to a red-tailed hawk. When displaying off for a feminine, males typically clap their wings collectively a few instances whereas flying.

#20. Burrowing Owl

• Size: 7.5–11.0 in (19–28 cm)
• Weight: 5–8.5 oz. (147–240 g)
• Wingspan: 20–24 inch (51–61 cm)

In contrast to different birds of prey that spend their time in bushes, Burrowing Owls stay underground!

They both excavate their houses themselves or, fairly regularly, take over underground shelters from squirrels or prairie canine. These underground dens present plenty of house to assemble meals. They’ve been recognized to have lots of of mice in storage in case of a meals scarcity!

Burrowing Owls have comparatively lengthy legs since they spend plenty of time navigating on the bottom.

Burrowing Owl Vary Map

Whereas Burrowing Owls could make all kinds of sounds, they aren’t particularly vocal. The most typical is a two-syllable that appears like “who-who” or “coo-coo-roo,” which is primarily made by males throughout mating and defending territories.

#21. Northern Noticed-whet Owl

• Size: 6.5–9 inches (17–23 cm)
• Weight: 1.9–5.3 oz. (54–151 grams)
• Wingspan: 16.5–22.2 inches (42–56.3 cm)

This species is among the smallest raptors in america, and they’re cute as a button. Northern Noticed-whet Owls are usually coloured in pale browns and tans.

Their favourite meals are mice, voles, and shrews. However these owls will complement their eating regimen with small birds, bugs, and invertebrates when needed.

Northern Noticed-whet Owl Vary Map

Northern Noticed-whet Owls want dense coniferous or combined hardwood forests with a river close by. Due to their want for mature bushes, their numbers have been declining.

These owls get their identify from the sound they make when alarmed, which resembles the whetting (sharpening) of a noticed. However their commonest name occurs in the course of the breeding season. It appears like a “too-too-too” emitted at about two notes per second.

#22. Northern Pygmy-Owl

• Size: 6.5 inches (16 cm)
• Weight: 2.2-2.5 ounces (62–72 g)
• Wingspan: 15 inches (38 cm)

The Northern Pygmy-Owl is a small, diurnal (daytime) hen. Its chest is white with vertical black stripes, whereas the rest is medium to darkish brown with spots. Search for two false eyes on the again of the pinnacle to dissuade assaults from behind.

These birds of prey typically want open coniferous forests or combined forests in america at larger altitudes, primarily pine with a number of deciduous bushes.

Northern Pygmy-Owl Vary Map

The hen’s name is reasonably plain. It sounds loads like a one-note tin whistle (“too-too-too”)!

However don’t let the unimpressive hoots idiot you as a result of the Northern Pygmy-Owl is a strong little raptor. It should tackle birds which are greater than twice its dimension. Imagine it or not, it has even been recognized to feast on chickens!

#23. Flammulated Owl

• Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
• Weight: 1.8–2.3 oz. (50–65 grams)
• Wingspan: 14 inches (36 cm)

A hen is named “flammulated” when it has flame-shaped markings. Trying intently on the Flammulated Owl, you’ll be able to see the place it will get its identify. The feathering appears to be like like an ash-covered log in a campfire the place flecks of ember present by means of.

It’s a good looking coloration, but it surely additionally makes this small raptor significantly onerous to identify within the western United States.

Flammulated Owl Vary Map

Flammulated Owls stay on the prime of the forest, particularly in coniferous forests. They will even nest in deciduous forests so long as there are some conifers as a part of the combo.

Due to their small dimension, Flammulated Owls hunt virtually solely for bugs (butterflies, moths, crickets, and beetles) and invertebrates. However often, small rodents are taken and eaten.

Flammulated Owls have a really massive windpipe. This adaptation permits them to make a deep base hoot that appears like a a lot bigger hen. Folks seldom see these owls, however you’ll be able to hear their unusually deep name from among the many treetops.

#24. Noticed Owl

• Size: 17 inches (43 cm)
• Weight: 1.3 lbs (600 grams)
• Wingspan: 39–49 inches (1–1.25 meters)

Sadly, Noticed Owl populations proceed to say no because of habitat loss and competitors with Barred Owls. These threatened birds of prey solely stay in mature forests within the western United States.

So when the big bushes that these owls want are lower down, the habitat can’t get replaced for doubtlessly lots of of years.

Noticed Owl Vary Map

Like many different owls, this species doesn’t construct its nests. As a substitute, Noticed Owls take over nests that different birds made in years previous, or they use a broken-off treetop or hole tree cavity.

The most typical sound {that a} Noticed Owl makes is a collection of four-note comfortable hoots. This name is given by each sexes and used to defend and mark their territory, though it will also be heard when males ship meals to females.

#25. Boreal Owl

• Size: 9–10.5 inches (22–27 cm) lengthy
• Weight: 3.2–7 oz. (90-200 g)
• Wingspan: 20–24 inches (50–62 cm)

The Boreal Owl is an extremely small raptor present in america.

They are often difficult to determine as a result of they’ve quite a lot of colours (from reddish-brown to grey) and patterns. They’ll possess both dots or streaks and typically each on the highest or backside of the physique.

Boreal Owl Vary Map

Boreal Owls stay within the boreal forests and will be seen in stands of aspen, poplar, spruce, fir, and birch bushes. Due to their distant areas, these owls are comparatively unusual and onerous to check and see, and little is understood about their inhabitants developments.

Since Boreal Owls are small, voles, bats, frogs, beetles, birds, and child squirrels are their main meals.

Their name is a small collection of whistled toots that will get progressively louder. Males usually solely hoot in the course of the breeding season to draw a feminine.

#26. Northern Hawk Owl

• Size: 14.2–17.75 inches (36–45 cm)
• Weight: 11–12 oz (300–340 g)
• Wingspan: 31–35 inches (77–89 cm)

Because the identify suggests, Northern Hawk Owls are likely to act extra like hawks than owls! These owls sit solitary in tall bushes and hunt in the course of the day, that are uncommon traits in owls.

Northern Hawk Owl Vary Map

These birds of prey are discovered within the boreal forests of North America.

Northern Hawk Owls generally feed on voles since they are often eaten complete and are typically plentiful. Additionally they will eat child hares, crimson squirrels, mice, rats, and lemmings.

Males make a rolling, low “hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” sound repeated 10 to 200 instances. Females have related calls, but it surely’s shorter and hoarser.

#27. Brief-eared Owl

• Size: 13–17 inches (34–43 cm)
• Weight: 7.3–16.8 oz (206–475 grams)
• Wingspan: 33.5-40.5 inches (85–103 cm)

This mid-sized tawny-brown mottled owl has false ears that aren’t at all times seen. Brief-eared Owls usually solely erect them after they need to look intimidating.

Your greatest probability to identify these birds of prey in america is at nightfall or daybreak in open fields, grasslands, meadows, or airports.

Brief-eared Owl Vary Map

These owls construct their nests on the bottom in open areas corresponding to meadows, tundra, savanna, or prairies.

If obliged to flee its nest to attract off a predator, the guardian will poop on the eggs so the scent will preserve predators away. Like a Kildeer, Brief-eared Owls additionally lure predators away from their nest by hopping away and pretending to be injured.

FALCONS, EAGLES, & VULTURES

#28. Peregrine Falcon

• Size: 13-23 in / 34-58 cm
• Weight: 12-53 oz. / 330-1500 g
• Wingspan: 29-47 in / 74-120 cm

These massive birds of prey are generally present in North America in city areas. Due to their fondness for nesting on the perimeters of tall buildings, these falcons are frequent in cities the place they typically turn into native celebrities!

Peregrine Falcon Vary Map

Peregrine Falcons have the distinction of being the FASTEST animal on the planet!

Don’t be fooled by tales that the cheetah is the quickest creature. Oh positive, they’ll crank it as much as 75 mph (120 kph), and that’s superb for being on the bottom.

However when a Peregrine Falcon dives, it might attain speeds of as much as 200 mph (320 kph)! And it begins its journey from as excessive as 3,000 ft (915 m), so it cruises at these excessive speeds for a substantial distance.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE THE INCREDIBLE DIVING ABILITIES OF THE PEREGRINE FALCON.

#29. American Kestrel

• Size: 9-12 inches / 22-31 cm
• Weight: 2.8-5.8 oz. / 80-165 g
• Wingspan: 20-24 inches / 51-61 cm

The American Kestrel is the smallest raptor in america and is roughly the dimensions of an American Robin. Don’t let the tiny stature idiot you, although, as a result of these birds of prey are achieved hunters.

Actually, you will have heard of a kestrel’s alternate identify, which is the Sparrow Hawk. This identify was given as a result of they may take sparrows and different birds of that dimension proper out of the air!

American Kestrel Vary Map

Certainly one of their favourite methods to catch prey is to hover within the breeze from a comparatively low top, on the lookout for bugs, invertebrates, small rodents, and birds. However life will be powerful while you’re the smallest falcon since they’re typically eaten as prey by bigger raptors, in addition to rat snakes and corn snakes!

Kestrels have a definite name that sounds prefer it’s saying “klee-klee-klee” or “killy, killy, killy,” which is normally repeated quickly. Press the PLAY button under to listen to an instance!

#30. Prairie Falcon

• Size: 14.5-18.5 in / 37-47 cm
• Weight: 15-39 oz. / 425-1106 g
• Wingspan: 35.5-44.5 in / 90-113 cm

You’ll discover this raptor within the openness of the western United States.

Particularly, search for Prairie Falcons in grasslands, shrubby deserts, farm fields, and pastures. If there are too many bushes round, you then in all probability gained’t discover this lovely hen of prey!

The Prairie Falcon and Peregrine Falcon look related to one another. Actually, these two species diverged from a standard ancestor about 4 million years in the past. Though roughly the identical dimension, the Prairie Falcon is a significantly lighter hen and requires much less meals in consequence.

Prairie Falcon Vary Map

Prairie Falcons prefer to play! They’ve been noticed selecting up manure, carrying it up excessive, after which dropping it, solely to catch the cow waste earlier than it hits the bottom. It’s thought that this exercise might assist sharpen their looking abilities.

Prairie Falcons are typically silent, however they may sound an alarm name (kik-kik-kik-kik) when defending their nest or territory.

#31. Bald Eagle

• Size: 28-40 in / 70-102 cm
• Weight: 6.5-15 lbs / 3-7 kg
• Wingspan: 71-91 in / 1.8-2.3 m

The Bald Eagle has been the nationwide image of america since 1782 and is among the most recognizable birds on the planet!

These massive raptors at the moment are fairly prevalent in america, however that wasn’t at all times the case.

Bald Eagles virtually went extinct within the mid-Twentieth century because of DDT poisoning. After years of devoted conservation work, they’ve recovered and are a real success story. They are mostly seen round our bodies of water.

Bald Eagle Vary Map

The explanation that Bald Eagles are discovered round water is that they principally eat fish! Search for them round marshes, lakes, coasts, and rivers. The BEST areas are forests close to massive our bodies of water that present good fishing AND tall bushes for nesting websites.

Beneath, you’ll be able to hear what a Bald Eagle appears like. When you think about an intimidating eagle name, you then could be mistaken. I believe they sound extra like a gull, with trills and little whistles.

Press PLAY above to listen to a Bald Eagle!

#32. Merlin

Size: 9-13 inches / 23-33 cm

Weight: 4.4-10.6 oz. / 125-300 g

Wingspan: 21-23 inches / 53-58 cm

Merlins are small, fierce raptors present in america.

With that being stated, they aren’t that frequent to look at and are unpredictable in regard to their vary. They’re a bit bigger than the American Kestrel, with a stockier construct, sharply pointed wings, and medium-length tails. You’ll be able to at all times determine a Merlin by its speedy wingbeats and since it’s so small.

However regardless of its diminutive stature, this falcon is an extremely fierce hen and makes use of shock assaults to deliver down its prey. It’s so daring that it has been seen attacking trains and automobiles that enter its territory. 

The Merlin is one hen you don’t need to annoy or make nervous!

Merlin Vary Map

Whereas typically silent, it’s potential to listen to a loud, excessive cackle that appears like “klee-klee-klee.” Sometimes, these calls are made throughout courtship or when displaying aggression. Press the PLAY button above to listen to an instance.

#33. Golden Eagle

• Size: 26-40 in / 66-100 cm
• Weight: 6.5-16 lbs / 3-7 kg
• Wingspan: 71-91 in / 1.8-2.3 m

Golden Eagles are extremely quick and agile, which makes them skilled hunters. The place Bald Eagles principally eat fish, these eagles virtually at all times eat mammals. Their favourite prey embody rabbits, hares, floor squirrels, marmots, and prairie canine.

However these raptors have been recognized to hunt and kill animals as massive as small deer, seals, mountain goats, coyotes, and badgers!

Golden Eagles are darkish brown with gold feathers on the backs of their necks, which is how they obtained their identify. Juvenile birds have white patches on their wings and tails. Immature Bald Eagles and grownup Golden Eagles look related and will be simply confused.

The distinguishing function between these two birds is that the Bald Eagle doesn’t thoughts displaying a bit leg, whereas the Golden Eagle has feathers all the way down to the highest of its ft.

These massive birds of prey want huge open areas in america, corresponding to landscapes that embody cliffs, mountains, or hills. You may also spot these birds in grasslands, farmlands, shrublands, arctic tundra, and coniferous woodlands.

Golden Eagle Vary Map

These eagles should not extraordinarily noisy, and their calls sound like whistles which are weak and excessive. Identical to Bald Eagles, for such a strong raptor, you’ll suppose Golden Eagles would have a way more intimidating sound.

#34. Turkey Vulture

• Size: 25-32 in / 64-81 cm
• Weight: 2-5 lbs / 0.8-2.4 kg
• Wingspan: 63-72 in / 160-183 cm

The Turkey Vulture is a big hen of prey extremely frequent in america.

Actually, it’s the most considerable vulture in the complete nation. They’re comparatively straightforward to determine, as they’re all black, with a bald crimson head and a pinkish invoice. The identify derives from their free resemblance to a Wild Turkey.

Turkey Vultures use their extremely developed sense of scent to find carrion. Their sense of scent is so delicate that they’ll detect useless meat from 8 miles (13 km) away. These birds want to eat recent meals, and so they attempt to get to animals as shortly as potential after their demise.

Turkey Vulture Vary Map

These birds are darkish, and so they soak up warmth simply. To chill themselves off, they defecate on their legs to chill the blood and assist them reasonable their physique temperature. Let’s collectively say “Ewww” and transfer on!

When these raptors are frightened, they are often so filled with meat that they can’t quickly fly away. On this case, you may even see them projectile vomit what they’ve eaten to shed some pounds and escape. If they aim the predator’s face, the fabric will be blinding.

#35. Black Vulture

• Size: 22 – 29 in / 56 – 74 cm
• Weight: 3.5 – 6.5 lbs / 1.6-3 kg
• Wingspan: 51 – 66 in / 1.3 – 1.7 m

Black Vultures primarily eat carrion, however in contrast to most different vultures, they’re recognized to kill animals to feed on recent meat. It’s not unusual for them to prey on residing skunks, opossums, and livestock, corresponding to child pigs, calves, and lambs.

Black Vultures are monogamous and can stick with their mate for a few years. The loyal pair are wonderful mother and father and can defend their nest, eggs, and younger vigorously. Curiously, these vultures construct their nests on the bottom in stumps, caves, thickets, brush piles, or hole bushes. No nesting materials is used both!

Black Vulture Vary Map

Search for Black Vultures in america in each forested and open areas. They like to roost and nest in dense forests however forage for meals alongside roads, fields, and different open areas. Black Vultures are generally seen hanging round Turkey Vultures, and it’s not as a result of they’re greatest buddies.

Between the 2 species, Turkey Vultures have a MUCH higher sense of scent. Black Vultures use this truth to their benefit and comply with Turkey Vultures to a carcass. Usually, the extra aggressive Black Vultures will ward off their vulture cousins to have the meals all to themselves. I ponder if Turkey Vultures ever really feel used? 🙂

#36. Gyrfalcon

• Size: 19 – 26 in / 48 – 65 cm
• Weight: 1.75 – 5 lbs. / 794 – 2268 g
• Wingspan: 43 – 63 in / 110 -160 cm