[MJHamilton]

What are the best field marks to distinguish between hawks, eagles and other accipitriformes in flight?

[njlarsen]

I would advice you to get a book. I have this old one: http://www.amazon.com/Hawks-Flight-I...763949&sr=1-12 which I think is surpassed/updated to this one: http://www.amazon.com/Hawks-Distance...ion+of+raptors, and that would teach you so much about that the generic differences between the different groups are.

Niels

[Chosun Juan]

MJ, Niels has given you good advice. Specialist raptor books are a good start.

In this country, we only have 25 different raptors on the mainland anyway, so learning the "jizz" (unique characteristics - combination of field marks, flight pattern, behaviour, size etc) of each one, is quite doable.

Start by looking at all the possibilities for that area (+ 'first ever' possible anomalies), and then categorise from there, ie.
Size, colour, wing area, length, dihedral angles, proportions, flight style, etc, etc.

After a while, you'll be able to ascertain which species, based on the merest of fleeting glimpses (some will always give you more trouble than others - but just run through the checklists).

For example, the 'kites' always look more 'floaty', the 'eagles' heavier, and more puposeful, the 'hawks' rather long-tailed, or built for aerial predation (but slower, and not as 'sharp' as the falcons). The harriers, are like low hang gliders, etc, etc.

Another good tip is how do the birds, and animals around them act? Alarm calls? Fleeing and hiding? Panic? Mobbing? etc, etc.

Out here we have a rather cranky 'gang' type honey-eater called the Noisy Miner - the difference in their alarm calls is an invaluable way to tell what type of raptor is about. Their eyesight is much better than mine, and they usually spot a raptor long before I do.

Enjoy,
Chosun

[MJHamilton]

Thanks for your help. Sorry it took me so long to respond, I've been extremely busy at work recently. Definitely some good tips, especially to look for the behavior of nearby bird- I would never have thought of that! And I'll definitely look to see if I can get a copy of those books. The latter one has been coming up in my Amazon suggestions frequently so maybe I'll cave and get that one. Thanks again for your help!