American Kestrel

(Falco sparverius)
North America’s smallest
falcon; typically not much
larger than a blue jay.
Known for hover hunting,
it scans the landscape
while remaining in the
same airspace as it looks
for a target. Numbers are
declining in Ohio.

Red-Shouldered
Hawk (Buteo Osprey (Pandion
lineatus) Identified by haliaetus) Almost exclu-
white bands on a dark tail, sively a fish eater, therefore
this broad-winged hawk usually found near water,
generally prefers wooded, where it plunges in, feet first,
swampy river corridors to snatch up prey. Spiny pro-
but has adapted to live jections on its talons provide
inside the Interstate extra grip.
275 loop in the suburbs
and city.

Red-Tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicen-
BIRDS OF PREY
sis) Ohio’s most common Ohio’s raptors are making a Perhaps you’ve seen
hawk, adults have a red them, perched in a tree
comeback, thanks in part to
tail and a white breast. or soaring overhead,
Diets vary, but they favor
one Milford-based nonprofit.
our region’s raptors—
agricultural areas and —CARRIE BLACKMORE SMITH
eagles, hawks, and
have adapted to live near falcons. Good news:
the suburbs. Nearly all the species gracing our skies are here in healthy numbers. “Raptors are
pretty common, especially the ones that are breeding here,” says Jeff Hays, who
has been working with injured raptors for more than 30 years with Milford-based
nonprofit RAPTOR Inc.
Recognized for their sharp, curved beaks and talons, these birds eat live prey,
including mice, rabbits, fish, reptiles, amphibians, worms, insects, and even other
birds. Species with the most diverse diets—and that aren’t too particular about
where they live, be it forest, pasture, suburban, or urban setting—are the most
common and increasing in number, Hays says.
Peregrine Falcon Their rebound over the last half century is mostly tied to habitat improve-
(Falco peregrinus): ments, Hays says. The 1972 federal ban of the insecticide dichlorodiphenyltri-
Has the greatest world- chloroethane—DDT—played a big part. It became the go-to bug killer after World
wide range of any bird War II, but its residue washed into nearby waterways, where it was absorbed by
species. Choice nesting aquatic plants and fish. Fish-eating birds became poisoned by the contaminated
locations are atop sky- prey and died in great numbers, devastating bald eagle populations. (The chemi-
scrapers, bell towers, and cal also interfered with the birds’ ability to produce strong eggshells).
bridges. Distinguished by The end of DDT, the passage of the Clean Water Act, and habitat protections
a black stripe that looks afforded by the Endangered Species Act have all benefited raptors. Yet one
like a mustache below the local species, the American kestrel, is not doing so well. In other parts of North
eyes. Mostly eats other America populations remain steady, but numbers are declining in the Northeast
birds. and parts of the Midwest. Scientists aren’t sure why.
As some of our region’s apex predators, raptors are important—they keep
rodents, fish, and other species in check. Want to see and learn more about our
birds of prey? Stop by one of RAPTOR Inc.’s open houses, held 1–4 p.m. on the last
Sunday of each month, March through November.

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P E R E G R I N E FA L C O N P H OTO G R A P H C O U R T E SY M A R C A LV E R S O N / R A P TO R I N C . PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY (OSPREY) STOCK . ADOBE .COM / (ALL OTHERS) RAPTOR INC .