BOB GRESS - North Dakota

BOB GRESS

By Sandra Hagen and

Chris Grondahl

NORTH DAKOTA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to John Schumacher and Scott Gomes for providing some of the original text for this publication. Graphic art and layout was done by Connie Schiff and editing by Ron Wilson.

The design and printing of this publication was funded by the

North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ii VULTURES

Turkey Vulture........................................................................................1-2

EAGLES Bald Eagle ...............................................................................................3-4 Golden Eagle ..........................................................................................5-6

HARRIERS Northern Harrier....................................................................................7-8

HAWKS ? ACCIPITER Sharp-shinned Hawk ............................................................................ 9-10 Cooper's Hawk ................................................................................... 11-12 Northern Goshawk............................................................................. 13-14

HAWKS ? BUTEO Broad-winged Hawk............................................................................ 15-16 Swainson's Hawk ................................................................................ 17-18 Red-tailed Hawk ................................................................................. 19-20 Ferruginous Hawk .............................................................................. 21-22 Rough-legged Hawk ............................................................................ 23-24

FALCONS Merlin .................................................................................................25-26 American Kestrel ................................................................................ 27-28 Prairie Falcon......................................................................................29-30 Peregrine Falcon ................................................................................. 31-32

OWLS Long-eared Owl...................................................................................33-34 Short-eared Owl..................................................................................35-36 Great Horned Owl ............................................................................. 37-38 Snowy Owl..........................................................................................39-40 Burrowing Owl ................................................................................... 41-42 Eastern Screech-Owl ...........................................................................43-44 Northern Saw-whet Owl .....................................................................45-46

*RARE NORTH DAKOTA HAWKS AND FALCONS Osprey.................................................................................................49-50 Red-shouldered Hawk......................................................................... 51-52 Gyrfalcon ............................................................................................53-54

*RARE NORTH DAKOTA OWLS Barn Owl ............................................................................................55-56 Barred Owl ......................................................................................... 57-58 Great Gray Owl ..................................................................................59-60 Boreal Owl.......................................................................................... 61-62 Northern Hawk Owl...........................................................................63-64

*A species that occurs yearly somewhere in the state, but in very low numbers.

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INTRODUCTION

What is a Raptor?

Hawks, eagles, falcons, vultures, and owls are types of birds known as raptors. Raptors are birds that have anatomical features separating them from all other avian species: (1) superb vision and hearing; (2) a hooked upper beak for tearing meat; and (3) strong grasping feet with sharp talons to catch and kill prey.

Eyes and Ears:

Raptors have extraordinary sight and hearing capability. Their eyes are the largest part of the head and usually weigh more than the bird's brain. The highly advanced eye allows for incredible focusing and binocular-like vision. The ears of an owl are even more remarkable. There are openings in the side of the head surrounded by deep, soft feathers, which the owl can shape to direct sound into the ear. The bird's facial disc, generally outlined by some change in feather pattern or color on the face, is also believed to help direct sound into the ear canal. Owl feathers are very soft in comparison to other birds and aid the owl in approaching prey quietly.

Talons:

A raptor's foot is flawlessly designed to catch, hold, and carry prey. The size of a raptor's toes and talons are related to the type of prey it pursues. Most raptors have three toes pointing forward, one backward, and use these powerful toes to grip or crush their prey to death.

A Raptor's Diet:

Raptors are excellent predators. Although rodents, small mammals and insects make up the bulk of a raptor's diet, they are very opportunistic feeders. Raptors will concentrate on prey that is abundant and relatively easy to catch. Raptors are often convicted of having a detrimental effect on game bird populations, such as ring-necked pheasants or ducks. Raptors do indeed feed on game birds, in particular, wounded or dying animals. Raptors are an easy predator to see and therefore have often been blamed for "eating all the game birds." However, the impact raptors have on game bird populations is relatively small compared to other mortality factors including natural mortality, weather events, vehicle collisions, and man. Also, raptors will not kill without being hungry since pursuit brings with it the risk of injury to themselves. Raptors are very beneficial in helping keep rodents and other ground predators in check, such as skunks and ground squirrels, that are even more detrimental to game bird populations.

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