What sorts of birds of prey can you discover in West Virginia?
This query is frequent, each for birders and non-birders alike. Raptors are widespread animals that are likely to catch folks’s curiosity greater than most different species. Fortunately, there are various totally different species in all kinds of habitats.
Right here is how the under listing is organized. Click on the hyperlink to leap straight to that part!
HAWKS
#1. Purple-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
Purple-tailed Hawks are in all probability the kind of hawk that persons are most aware of. These birds of prey are sometimes seen in West Virginia on drives within the countryside, both hovering within the sky or perched on a fence put up.
The plumage coloration of Purple-tailed Hawks might be something from practically white to just about black, so coloration will not be a dependable indicator. One of the simplest ways to establish them is by on the lookout for their attribute pink tail. 🙂
Purple-tailed Hawk Vary Map
These hawks are extremely adaptable, and there’s no actual description of their most well-liked habitats as a result of they appear to be comfy in every single place. I’ve seen Purple-tailed Hawks backpacking within the deep wilderness to city cities to my very own suburban yard! Choose a habitat, equivalent to pastures, parks, deserts, roadsides, rainforests, woodlands, fields, or scrublands, and also you’ll discover them thriving.
Purple-tailed Hawks have spectacular calls which are simply recognized. Hear 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 West Virginia.
They’re extremely athletic and acrobatic. It’s frequent to see these raptors zipping by way of the woods or by your fowl feeders in a blur of movement!
To establish these birds, search for bars of orange on their higher chest that fade in the direction of the stomach and blue-gray again and wings. When flying, their wings are comparatively quick 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 West Virginia. They’re most frequently seen round fowl feeders, searching 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 velocity to chase birds, which make up 90% of their weight-reduction plan.
One method to confirm you’ve gotten seen a Sharp-shinned Hawk is to pay attention for his or her sounds. People give a high-pitched shrill “kik-kik-kik,” which is often repeated a number of occasions.
#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 massive raptors are generally present in West Virginia within the woods or on the sting of fields. Cooper’s Hawks are recognized for his or her flying agility. I see them usually at my home in high-speed chases by way of the cover, going after their prey.
Cooper’s Hawk Vary Map
Due to their unbelievable flying talents, these hawks primarily eat songbirds and are frequent in backyards round fowl feeders. At my feeding station, I’ve noticed these hawks preying on Purple-winged Blackbirds, European Starlings, and Mourning Doves.
The commonest sound a Cooper’s Hawk emits is an alarm name that feels like “kuck, kuck, kuc” or “cak-cak-cak.”
Visually, a Cooper’s Hawk seems extremely just like the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Their steely blue-gray look is sort of similar to the Sharp-shinned hawk, proper all the way down to the little black cap that each put on and the rufous coloured chest.
The BEST method to inform these hawks aside is to have a look at the dimensions distinction. Cooper’s are bigger than Sharp-shinneds. But when they’re airborne, good luck determining which one you might be observing!
#4. Purple-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, Purple-shouldered Hawks have a barred rufous chest, principally white underwings, a strongly banded tail, and, after all, pink shoulders which are seen when perched.
Purple-shouldered Hawks are primarily forest dwellers. Their favourite locations are woods with an open higher cover since this additional 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 Purple-shouldered Hawks ceaselessly, particularly in winter, searching in my yard for squirrels.
Purple-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 searching, these raptors drop onto their prey instantly from overhead, making their searching fashion distinctive.
You possibly can see this habits under, as a Purple-shouldered Hawk tries to catch a squirrel in my yard! Don’t fear; the hawk is unsuccessful.
Purple-shouldered Hawk searching in my yard!
#5. 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 quick and stocky, which makes them completely tailored to life within the forest. These birds of prey stay in West Virginia and are pretty frequent, however they don’t seem to be usually 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 West Virginia, they fly south for the winters to Central America and South America. Broad-winged Hawks are in all probability finest recognized for his or her epic migrations every fall.
It’s estimated that the common fowl travels over 4,000 miles (6,400 km) complete, and that’s simply ONE WAY, and so they have to finish this journey twice per yr.
These long-distance flyers usually journey south collectively, hovering on air currents by the 1000’s! Getting the possibility to look at a “kettle” of Broad Winged Hawks is genuinely awe-inspiring, as you’ll be able to see within the video above!
#6. 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 dwelling and breeding on the Arctic tundra.
You possibly can solely see these massive birds of prey in West Virginia in the course of the winter once they migrate south.
Not like most hawks, this species has feathers all the way in which all the way down to their ft, which helps hold them heat within the chilly environments they select to stay.
Tough-legged Hawk Vary Map
Search for these chunky, massive raptors in open areas. They’ve a singular searching fashion the place they hover whereas dealing with the wind, on the lookout for meals. In actual fact, 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. (Hear under!)
#7. 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 you could 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.
Regardless that Ospreys aren’t hawks, they definitely look just like one. These raptors have additionally been given nicknames, equivalent 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 weight-reduction plan, you’ll nearly all the time discover these birds of prey dwelling, breeding, and elevating their younger round water in West Virginia.
Hear for Ospreys subsequent time you might be round a big physique of water. Their alarm name is a sequence of quick, high-pitched whistles that descend in pitch. The noise has been in comparison with a teapot taken off a range.
OWLS
#8. 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 West Virginia.
In actual fact, these raptors can truly be discovered nearly wherever in North America, from the Arctic to the tropics. Its habitat is virtually limitless so long as there are timber and rocky nesting websites out there. It’s arduous to discover a fowl that may adapt higher than a Nice Horned Owl.
Nice Horned Owl Vary Map
These owls are massive and look fierce! To establish 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 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 number of miles away at evening. I don’t assume there’s one other owl species that does hooting higher than a Nice Horned Owl!
#9. 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 typical raptor present in West Virginia. The title “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 usually keep and watch as you stroll previous them. Even when they get nervous as you strategy, 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 made from meat! They may readily seize rats, rabbits, bats, squirrels, moles, minks, weasels, opossums, a wide range 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 feels like they’re asking, “Who cooks for you.” Barred Owls will hold forth throughout daytime, too, and so they mate for all times.
#10. 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 arduous to identify in West Virginia!
As you’ll be able to see, these owls get their title from the lengthy tufts of feathers on their heads. These ear tufts resemble exclamation factors, so Lengthy-eared Owls usually appear to be they’ve a stunned 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 might be extremely arduous to see, one of the simplest ways to find them is to pay attention! In the course of the mating season, males are fairly talkative. Their typical name is repeated wherever from 10 to 200 occasions and feels like a low “hoo,” evenly spaced each few seconds.
#11. 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 quick, 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 West Virginia.
They don’t appear to thoughts folks an excessive amount of as they’re comfy 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 a wide range of hoots, calls, and songs, however their hottest is an even-pitched trill, usually known as a tremolo. The tremolo is utilized by pairs to maintain involved 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!
#12. 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. Apparently, 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 below 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 title). Although significantly endangered in lots of elements of their vary, farmers love them as a result of they hold surrounding property pretty rodent-free, defending different animals from the illnesses that mice and rats carry.
They don’t “hoot” within the classical style of different owls. Their distinctive screechy sound is much extra harking back to a red-tailed hawk. When exhibiting off for a feminine, males typically clap their wings collectively a few occasions whereas flying.
#13. 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 West Virginia, and they’re cute as a button.
Their favourite meals are mice, voles, and shrews. However these owls will complement their weight-reduction plan with small birds, bugs, and invertebrates when mandatory.
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 timber, their numbers have been declining.
These owls get their title from the sound they make when alarmed, which resembles the whetting (sharpening) of a noticed. However their most typical name occurs in the course of the breeding season. It feels like a “too-too-too” emitted at about two notes per second.
#14. 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 West Virginia 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 equivalent 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 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 on the lookout for a mate.
FALCONS, EAGLES, & VULTURES
#15. 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 West Virginia in city areas.
Due to their fondness for nesting on the perimeters of tall buildings, these falcons are frequent in cities the place they usually change into native celebrities!
Peregrine Falcon Vary Map
Peregrine Falcons have the respect of being the FASTEST animal on the planet! Don’t be fooled by tales that the cheetah is the quickest creature. Oh certain, 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 will possibly 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.
#16. 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 West Virginia 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 completed hunters.
In actual fact, you could have heard of a kestrel’s alternate title, which is the Sparrow Hawk. This title was given as a result of they are going to take sparrows and different birds of that measurement proper out of the air!
American Kestrel Vary Map
One among their favourite methods to catch prey is to hover within the breeze from a comparatively low peak, on the lookout for bugs, invertebrates, small rodents, and birds. However life might 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!
#17. Bald Eagle
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 timber for nesting websites.
Beneath, you’ll be able to hear what a Bald Eagle feels like. In the event you think about an intimidating eagle name, then you definately can be incorrect. I believe they sound extra like a gull, with trills and little whistles.
Press PLAY above to listen to a Bald Eagle!
#18. 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 West Virginia.
With that being mentioned, they don’t seem to be that frequent to watch 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 possibly can 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 fowl and makes use of shock assaults to convey down its prey. It’s so daring that it has been seen attacking trains and vehicles that enter its territory.
The Merlin is one fowl you don’t wish to annoy or make nervous!
Merlin Vary Map
Whereas usually silent, it’s potential to listen to a loud, excessive cackle that feels like “klee-klee-klee.” Usually, these calls are made throughout courtship or when exhibiting aggression. Press the PLAY button above to listen to an instance.
#19. 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 fowl of prey in West Virginia.
In actual fact, it’s the most ample vulture in your entire nation. They’re comparatively simple to establish, as they’re all black, with a bald pink head and a pinkish invoice. The title derives from their unfastened 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 lifeless meat from 8 miles (13 km) away. These birds desire to eat contemporary meals, and so they attempt to get to animals as rapidly as potential after their loss of life.
Turkey Vulture Vary Map
These birds are darkish, and so they take 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 filled with meat that they can’t quickly fly away. On this case, you might even see them projectile vomit what they’ve eaten to drop extra pounds and escape. If they aim the predator’s face, the fabric might be blinding.
#20. 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 not like most different vultures, they’re recognized to kill animals to feed on contemporary meat. It’s not unusual for them to prey on dwelling skunks, opossums, and livestock, equivalent 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. Apparently, these vultures construct their nests on the bottom in stumps, caves, thickets, brush piles, or hole timber. No nesting materials is used both!
Black Vulture Vary Map
Search for Black Vultures in West Virginia 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 finest 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. Typically, the extra aggressive Black Vultures will ward off their vulture cousins to have the meals all to themselves. I’m wondering if Turkey Vultures ever really feel used? 🙂
Do you want assist figuring out raptors in West Virginia?
Listed below are a number of books and assets you should buy that can help!
To study extra about different birds in West Virginia, try these guides!
Which of those birds of prey have you ever seen earlier than in West Virginia?
Depart a remark under!
A few of the vary maps above have been generously shared with permission from The Birds of The World, printed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I take advantage of their web site OFTEN to study new details about birds!
