What sorts of birds of prey can you discover in Wisconsin?
This query is frequent, each for birders and non-birders alike. Raptors are fashionable animals that are inclined to catch individuals’s curiosity greater than most different species. Fortunately, there are various completely different species in all types of habitats.
Right here is how the under listing is organized. Click on the hyperlink to leap straight to that part!
HAWKS
#1. Pink-tailed Hawk
- Size: 18-26 in / 45-65 cm
- Weight: 1.5-3.5 lbs. / 700-1600 g
- Wingspan: 43-55 in / 110-140 cm
Pink-tailed Hawks are most likely the kind of hawk that individuals are most acquainted with. These birds of prey are sometimes seen in Wisconsin on drives within the countryside, both hovering within the sky or perched on a fence submit.
The plumage coloration of Pink-tailed Hawks could be something from practically white to nearly black, so coloration shouldn’t be a dependable indicator. One of the best ways to establish them is by searching for their attribute pink tail. 🙂
Pink-tailed Hawk Vary Map
These hawks are extremely adaptable, and there’s no actual description of their most popular habitats as a result of they appear to be comfy in every single place. I’ve seen Pink-tailed Hawks backpacking within the deep wilderness to city cities to my very own suburban yard! Choose a habitat, similar to pastures, parks, deserts, roadsides, rainforests, woodlands, fields, or scrublands, and also you’ll discover them thriving.
Pink-tailed Hawks have spectacular calls which can be simply recognized. Pay attention under to those intimidating sounds under.
#2. Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Size: 9-13.5 inches / 23-37 cm
- Weight: 3-8 oz / 82-220 g
- Wingspan: 16.5-26.5 inches / 42-68 cm
Sharp-shinned Hawks are one of many smallest birds of prey in Wisconsin.
They’re extremely athletic and acrobatic. It’s frequent to see these raptors zipping by the woods or by your hen feeders in a blur of movement!
To establish these birds, search for bars of orange on their higher chest that fade in direction of the stomach and blue-gray again and wings. When flying, their wings are comparatively brief and rounded however with a protracted tail. Females are significantly larger than males.
Sharp-shinned Hawk Vary Map
These raptors are frequent in forested areas in Wisconsin. They’re most frequently seen round hen feeders, looking and preying on the songbirds that come to go to. These raptors are ambush predators, sitting patiently after which dashing out from cowl at excessive pace to chase birds, which make up 90% of their eating regimen.
One approach to confirm you might have seen a Sharp-shinned Hawk is to hear for his or her sounds. People give a high-pitched shrill “kik-kik-kik,” which is usually repeated a number of instances.
#3. Cooper’s Hawk
- Size: 13.5-20 in / 35-50 cm
- Weight: 8-24 oz / 220-680 g
- Wingspan: 24.5-35.5 in / 62-90 cm
These giant raptors are generally present in Wisconsin within the woods or on the sting of fields. Cooper’s Hawks are identified for his or her flying agility. I see them typically at my home in high-speed chases by the cover, going after their prey.
Cooper’s Hawk Vary Map
Due to their unimaginable flying skills, these hawks primarily eat songbirds and are frequent in backyards round hen feeders. At my feeding station, I’ve noticed these hawks preying on Pink-winged Blackbirds, European Starlings, and Mourning Doves.
The most typical sound a Cooper’s Hawk emits is an alarm name that appears like “kuck, kuck, kuc” or “cak-cak-cak.”
Visually, a Cooper’s Hawk appears to be like extremely just like the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Their steely blue-gray look is sort of an identical to the Sharp-shinned hawk, proper right down to the little black cap that each put on and the rufous coloured chest.
The BEST approach to inform these hawks aside is to take a look at the dimensions distinction. Cooper’s are bigger than Sharp-shinneds. But when they’re airborne, good luck determining which one you’re observing!
#4. Northern Goshawk
- Size: 16-27 in / 41-69 cm
- Weight: 22-50 oz / 630-1400 g
- Wingspan: 35-50 in / 89-127 cm
Northern Goshawks are secretive birds which can be laborious to see, as these birds of prey desire residing in giant forests away from civilization. Many individuals mistakenly suppose they’ve seen one of their yard when it was only a Cooper’s Hawk, which appears to be like comparable.
However look intently, and you will notice a dark-colored head that’s normally paired with deep pink eyes, which makes the Northern Goshawk laborious to mistake. The underbody is commonly a bluish-white to gentle grey with barring. The higher physique is blue-gray and even brown with sure morphs.
Northern Goshawk Vary Map
These raptors are widespread in Wisconsin however are laborious to see, particularly within the suburbs and cities. Some particular person birds are short-term migrants throughout colder months, heading south till ample meals could be discovered. Different birds keep in the identical place all yr.
Opportunistic and fierce hunters, Northern Goshawks eat all kinds of meals. The listing consists of bugs, mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Pay attention for a harsh “ca-ca-ca” sound. Because it calls, they flip their head back and forth slowly, which provides the vocal impact of a ventriloquist.
#5. Northern Harrier
Northern Harriers are one of the crucial distinctive birds of prey one can find within the USA!
First, most hawks depend on their unimaginable eyesight to search out and seize prey. However Northern Harriers additionally use their listening to to search out meals, just like owls. Even their disc-shaped face resembles an owl. 🙂
Northern Harrier Vary Map
One of the best locations to discover a Northern Harrier are open grasslands, fields, or marshes. Search for a slim, long-tailed raptor that flies low and has a white rump. Watch an instance under!
#6. Pink-shouldered Hawk
- Size: 15-19 in / 38-48 cm
- Weight: 1.1-1.9 lbs. / 500-860 g
- Wingspan: 38-42 in / 96-107 cm
Distinctly marked, Pink-shouldered Hawks have a barred rufous chest, largely white underwings, a strongly banded tail, and, in fact, pink shoulders which can be seen when perched.
Pink-shouldered Hawks are primarily forest dwellers. Their favourite locations are woods with an open higher cover since this further house permits them to hunt extra effectively. These raptors are additionally frequent in suburban areas the place homes have been blended into woodlands.
I see Pink-shouldered Hawks continuously, particularly in winter, looking in my yard for squirrels.
Pink-shouldered Hawk Vary Map
Talking of meals, these hawks primarily eat small mammals however will feast on snakes, lizards, and amphibians when out there. When looking, these raptors drop onto their prey instantly from overhead, making their looking fashion distinctive.
You’ll be able to see this habits under, as a Pink-shouldered Hawk tries to catch a squirrel in my yard! Don’t fear; the hawk is unsuccessful.
Pink-shouldered Hawk looking in my yard!
#7. Broad-winged Hawk
- Size: 13.5-17.5 inches / 34-44 cm
- Weight: 16 oz / 450 g
- Wingspan: 33 inches / 84 cm
The our bodies of Broad-winged Hawks are brief and stocky, which makes them completely tailored to life within the forest. These birds of prey reside in Wisconsin and are pretty frequent, however they aren’t typically seen as a result of they like spending their time within the deep woods away from people.
Broad-winged Hawk Vary Map
Whereas these raptors spend their summers right here in Wisconsin, they fly south for the winters to Central America and South America. Broad-winged Hawks are most likely finest identified for his or her epic migrations every fall.
It’s estimated that the typical hen travels over 4,000 miles (6,400 km) complete, and that’s simply ONE WAY, they usually have to finish this journey twice per yr.
These long-distance flyers typically journey south collectively, hovering on air currents by the 1000’s! Getting the prospect to observe a “kettle” of Broad Winged Hawks is genuinely awe-inspiring, as you’ll be able to see within the video above!
#8. Tough Legged Hawk
- Size: 18.5-23.5 inches / 46-59 cm
- Weight: 25-49 oz / 715-1400 gm
- Wingspan: 52-54 inches / 132-138 cm
Tough-legged Hawks spend their summers residing and breeding on the Arctic tundra.
You’ll be able to solely see these giant birds of prey in Wisconsin in the course of the winter once they migrate south.
Not like most hawks, this species has feathers all the way in which right down to their ft, which helps hold them heat within the chilly environments they select to reside.
Tough-legged Hawk Vary Map
Search for these chunky, giant raptors in open areas. They’ve a singular looking fashion the place they hover whereas dealing with the wind, searching for meals. In truth, they’re one of many few birds of prey that actually hovers in place.
Tough-legged Hawks are sometimes silent, besides they make a mewing sound close to the nest. (Pay attention under!)
#9. Osprey
- Size: 20-25.5 inches / 50-65 cm
- Weight: 3-4.4 lb. / 1.4-2 kg
- Wingspan: 59-71 inches / 150-180 cm
The very first thing that you must find out about Ospreys is they’re NOT hawks! They aren’t eagles both and, scientifically talking, have been given their very own Household (Pandionidae) and Genus (Pandion), separate from all different birds of prey.
Though Ospreys aren’t hawks, they actually look just like one. These raptors have additionally been given nicknames, similar to Sea Hawk, River Hawk, and Fish Hawk, which trace on the affiliation between an Osprey and a hawk.
Osprey Vary Map
Whenever you consider an Osprey, you must consider fish as a result of that’s what these birds eat 99% of the time. Due to their specialised eating regimen, you’ll nearly all the time discover these birds of prey residing, breeding, and elevating their younger round water in Wisconsin.
Pay attention for Ospreys subsequent time you’re round a big physique of water. Their alarm name is a sequence of brief, high-pitched whistles that descend in pitch. The noise has been in comparison with a teapot taken off a range.
OWLS
#10. 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 Wisconsin.
In truth, these raptors can really be discovered nearly 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 laborious to discover a hen that may adapt higher than a Nice Horned Owl.
Nice Horned Owl Vary Map
These owls are giant and look fierce! To establish them, search for their lengthy tufts of feathers that resemble ears on their head.
Additionally, take a look at their intimidating eyes. I do know I’d not wish 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 couple of miles away at evening. I don’t suppose there’s one other owl species that does hooting higher than a Nice Horned Owl!
#11. 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 Wisconsin. 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 essentially 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 sometimes 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 nearly something product of meat! They’ll 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 traditional sounds featured in films and scary Halloween tales. It’s simple to acknowledge their name because it appears like they’re asking, “Who cooks for you.” Barred Owls will hold forth throughout sunlight hours, too, they usually mate for all times.
#12. 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 also called 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 laborious to identify in Wisconsin!
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 identified to reside in clusters and even share roosts!
Since Lengthy-eared Owls could be extremely laborious to see, one of the simplest ways to find them is to hear! 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.
#13. Jap 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 could remind you {of professional} wrestlers since they’re brief, stocky, and don’t have any necks! These owls can both be gray or pink, with a few third of all people being pink.
These small raptors are present in wooded areas in Wisconsin.
They don’t appear to thoughts individuals an excessive amount of as they’re comfy nesting on prime of streetlamps, subsequent to busy roadways/highways, or inside areas in populated buildings.
Jap Screech-owl Vary Map
Jap 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 lots like mating toads, and I typically get the 2 confused!
#14. 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 essentially the most lovely raptor in Wisconsin!
Their gorgeous white plumage stops nearly everybody of their tracks, each birders and non-birders alike! Snowy Owls are largely white, however they do have horizontal darkish traces 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 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 may be an “irruption” of Snowy Owls, and lots of extra birds than regular migrate south.
When defending their territory or trying to find 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.
#15. 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 Wisconsin!
In case you’re fortunate sufficient to see one, they’re gorgeous raptors. Many individuals suppose they seem like they’re sporting a gray go well with with a bowtie round its neck!
These owls cowl plenty of territory of their vary, however they like to reside in a forest close to a clearing. It’s instrumental within the wintertime, as they want plenty of space for listening to rodents operating beneath the snow to allow them to crash by and catch lunch! As a result of they’re so huge, they require plenty of meals, consuming as much as 7 rodents every day.
Nice Grey Owl Vary Map
Gray Grey Owls NEVER construct nests. They simply use those that different huge birds made. Discuss 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 in all fairness distinctive, daring, and deep, sounding like “whooooo, woo, woo, woo.“ In addition they have a mushy double hoot used when offering meals to their infants or defending a territory.
#16. 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 likely one of the smallest raptors in Wisconsin, and they’re cute as a button.
Their favourite meals are mice, voles, and shrews. However these owls will complement their eating regimen with small birds, bugs, and invertebrates when crucial.
Northern Noticed-whet Owl Vary Map
Northern Noticed-whet Owls desire dense coniferous or blended 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.
#17. 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 all the time seen. Brief-eared Owls sometimes solely erect them once they wish to look intimidating.
Your finest likelihood to identify these birds of prey in Wisconsin 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 similar to meadows, tundra, savanna, or prairies.
If obliged to flee its nest to attract off a predator, the father or mother will poop on the eggs so the odor will hold predators away. Like a Kildeer, Brief-eared Owls additionally lure predators away from their nest by hopping away and pretending to be injured.
Brief-eared Owls aren’t significantly vocal. However once they do make noises, these birds have a name, oddly sufficient, that sounds an terrible lot like a cat searching for a mate.
FALCONS, EAGLES, & VULTURES
#18. Peregrine Falcon
- Size: 13-23 in / 34-58 cm
- Weight: 12-53 oz. / 330-1500 g
- Wingspan: 29-47 in / 74-120 cm
These giant birds of prey are generally present in Wisconsin in city areas.
Due to their fondness for nesting on the edges of tall buildings, these falcons are frequent in cities the place they typically turn out to be native celebrities!
Peregrine Falcon Vary Map
Peregrine Falcons have the glory 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 probably 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.
#19. 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 Wisconsin 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.
In truth, you will have heard of a kestrel’s alternate identify, which is the Sparrow Hawk. This identify was given as a result of they are going to take sparrows and different birds of that dimension proper out of the air!
American Kestrel Vary Map
One in every of their favourite methods to catch prey is to hover within the breeze from a comparatively low peak, searching for bugs, invertebrates, small rodents, and birds. However life could be robust if 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!
#20. Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle Vary Map
The rationale that Bald Eagles are discovered round water is that they largely eat fish! Search for them round marshes, lakes, coasts, and rivers. The BEST areas are forests close to giant our bodies of water that present good fishing AND tall bushes for nesting websites.
Under, you’ll be able to hear what a Bald Eagle appears like. In case you think about an intimidating eagle name, then you definitely 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!
#21. 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 Wisconsin.
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 all the time establish 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 wish to annoy or make nervous!
Merlin Vary Map
Whereas typically silent, it’s attainable to listen to a loud, excessive cackle that appears like “klee-klee-klee.” Sometimes, these calls are made throughout courtship or when exhibiting aggression. Press the PLAY button above to listen to an instance.
#22. 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 an extremely frequent hen of prey in Wisconsin.
In truth, it’s the most considerable vulture in the complete nation. They’re comparatively simple to establish, as they’re all black, with a bald pink head and a pinkish invoice. The identify derives from their unfastened resemblance to a Wild Turkey.
Turkey Vultures use their extremely developed sense of odor to find carrion. Their sense of odor is so delicate that they’ll detect useless meat from 8 miles (13 km) away. These birds desire to eat recent meals, they usually attempt to get to animals as shortly as attainable after their demise.
Turkey Vulture Vary Map
These birds are darkish, they usually soak up warmth simply. To chill themselves off, they defecate on their legs to chill the blood and assist them average their physique temperature. Let’s collectively say “Ewww” and transfer on!
When these raptors are frightened, they are often so stuffed with meat that they can not quickly fly away. On this case, you might even see them projectile vomit what they’ve eaten to drop some weight and escape. If they aim the predator’s face, the fabric could be blinding.
#23. Gyrfalcon
- Size: 19 – 26 in / 48 – 65 cm
- Weight: 1.75 – 5 lbs. / 794 – 2268 g
- Wingspan: 43 – 63 in / 110 -160 cm
The very first thing we have to focus on concerning Gyrfalcons is methods to pronounce its identify! The proper approach to pronounce the identify is “JER•falcon.” The start sounds just like the letter “J” and never the letter “G” (Click on this hyperlink to listen to somebody saying “Gyrfalcon.”)
Okay, now that we have now that out of the way in which, let’s discuss extra about this magnificent raptor! The Gyrfalcon, typically generally known as the Gyr, is the biggest falcon species in North America (and the world).
They’re birds of the Arctic, they usually breed on the edges of cliffs in distant areas of Alaska and Canada. As a result of they reside in secluded areas, Gyrfalcons are sometimes protected from human disturbances, however they do face challenges from local weather change.
Throughout the winter months, Gyrs have to come back south from the excessive Arctic to search out meals. Relying on the particular yr, you by no means know the way far south they might come! So far as sounds go, Gyrfalcons make a couple of. When they’re alarmed, hear for a “kak kak kak” noise, which you’ll hear under.
Do you want assist figuring out raptors in Wisconsin?
Listed here are a couple of books and sources you should purchase that can help!
To study extra about different birds in Wisconsin, take a look at these guides!
Which of those birds of prey have you ever seen earlier than in Wisconsin?
Go away a remark under!
A few of the vary maps above had been generously shared with permission from The Birds of The World, revealed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I take advantage of their web site OFTEN to study new details about birds!
