Theme # 12 : North American Birds of Prey
New theme!! This theme consists of birds of prey or raptors found in North America (though some live other places as well). I picked some of the most well known birds and tried to give a good explanation of each type. Have fun!
Application
Name:
Previously Stamped As:
Age:
Location:
Positive characteristics:
Negative characteristics:
Neutral characteristics:
This or That
Aggressive/Passive:
Secretive/Bold:
Alone/Pair/Group:
Loud/Quiet:
Rare/Common:
Stubborn/Adaptive:
Fight/Flight:
Patient/Impatient:
Big/Medium/Small:
Fast/Slow:
Solid/Multi-Colored:
Nocturnal/Diurnal:
Endangered/Widespread:
Traits
How do you get along with humans?
What color(s) would you like to be?
What's one thing you'd be specially known for?
How do you get along with other birds?
How would you hunt?
Describe your wings.
What would you be willing to eat?
[ ] birds
[ ] carrion
[ ] fish
[ ] insects
[ ] larger mammals
[ ] reptiles
[ ] small mammals
Habitat
Pick a location or two: Canada, west U.S., east U.S., Mexico, Central America, South America
Is your habitat shrinking/changing or are you able to adapt?
Where would you nest?
[ ] abandoned nests
[ ] nest you built
[ ] nest you stole
[ ] somewhere people build for you
[ ] tree hollow
[ ] underground
Where would you be willing to live? Choose up to four.
[ ] city
[ ] desert
[ ] forest
[ ] lakes, rivers
[ ] meadows
[ ] mountains
[ ] ocean
[ ] prairie
[ ] rainforest
[ ] suburbs
[ ] tundra
[ ] woods
Anything Else?
Which bird of prey do you feel is absolutely nothing like you?
Please vote on all unstamped applications. Check here [ ] when you have finished before posting your application.
[Voters, the list of available stamps is http://community.livejournal.com/animal_stamps/67394.html">here]
Eagles
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is pretty darn awesome. It's the national bird of the United States and is found near water across most of Canada, the U.S., and northern Mexico. They are large birds of prey, growing extremely large in Alaska, and are easily recognizable by their white-feathered heads.
Golden Eagle
While the Bald Eagle is only found in the United States, the Golden Eagle is found across the Northern Hemisphere and is the second of two types of eagles in North America. Like Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles mate for life. They vary greatly in size, but are still considered a larger bird. Both eagles are protected in the United States.
Falcons
American Kestrel
Also known as the Sparrow Hawk, the American Kestrel is the smallest U.S. falcon, or a hawk with long pointed wings. It hunts by hovering in the air with rapid wing beats, searching for prey. They are found from Canada and Alaska to Mexico and the Caribbean, where it migrates further south. It is also the only kestrel found the in the Western Hemisphere. (Kestrels are distinguished from other hawks by their hovering form of hunting.)
Northern Caracara
The Northern Caracara is found din Cuba, northern South America, Central America, Mexico, and the southernmost parts of the U.S., including Florida. They are omnivorous scavengers that prefer carrion, but will eat any small animal. They are also known to steal food from other birds.
Peregrine Falcon
Locally known as the Duck Hawk, the Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal when diving at up to 200 mph. It is about the size of a crow, the female being larger than the male. Its main diet is other birds, but it will also eat small mammals. It is found from the Arctic tundra to the Tropics. In fact, the only major ice-free landmass where it doesn't live is New Zealand, making it the world's most widespread bird of prey.
Prairie Falcon
The Prairie falcon is a crow-sized falcon of western North America. It lives in wide open spaces and nests on cliff ledges. This species is often used in falconry, despite being hard to train, unpredictable, and one of the most aggressive. It is similar to the Peregrine Falcon, and is occasionally crossbred with them.
Harriers
Northern Harrier
Called the Hen Harrier in Europe and the Marsh Hawk in the past, the Northern Harrier found in the Northern hemisphere. The Northern Harrier is medium sized and nests on the ground. It hunts small mammals and tends to be very vocal. They are different from other birds of prey in that they have long wings that they hold in a v-shape.
Hawks
Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's hawk is a medium-sized hawk found from Canada to Mexico. They live in various forests, meadows, and even urban or suburban areas. To hunt they fly quickly through thick vegetation, relying on surprise.
Northern Goshawk
Pronounced goose-hawk, this medium-large bird of prey is found across Europe and North America, where it the only goshawk. The Northern Goshawk is the largest hawk. They hunt in similar style to Cooper's Hawk, and will occasionally kill larger mammals such as rabbits. During the spring breeding season, they perform a rollercoaster display and make their gull-like call.
Red-tailed Hawk
Known sometimes as the chickenhawk, the Red-tailed Hawk actually rarely preys on chickens. It is found from Alaska and Canada to Panama and the West Indies. It is one of the most common hawks in North America. Like many raptors, it has significance in Native American culture. It is usually recognizable by its bright red feathers. It competes with the Great Horned Owl for food and nesting sites.
Kites
Swallow-tailed Kite
The Swallow-tailed kite is found from the southeastern U.S. to the middle of South America. They are well-known for their forked tailed. They live in wood- and wetlands near water. Kites are lighter than falcons and their wings are longer, but just as pointed. This allows them to hover while searching for prey.
White-tailed Kite
The White-tailed Kite is gull-colored, but falcon-shaped with a rounded instead of split tail. It used to be called the Black-shouldered Kite due to the dark feathers across its back. It is found in western North America and parts of South America. It was hunted almost to extinction in the U.S., but has since been brought back.
Ospreys
Osprey
Also known as the fish hawk, sea hawk, or fish eagle, the Osprey is a large bird of prey and is found on all continents except Antarctica. Despite living worldwide, the Osprey is unusual in that it is a single species with only mild differences in subspecies. Fish make up most of the Osprey's diet. They are often featured in Greek and Roman mythology.
Vultures
California Condor
As a native of California, I can safely say that the California Condor is one of the stupidest birds of all time. It is found in small locations at the Grand Canyon, Zion Nation Park, and the western mountains of California and northern Baja California. It is a large black vulture with white under its wings. It also has a bald head. After almost going extinct, conservationists tried to rescue the bird by raising then releasing them into the wild. However, they're so stupid that they can't find dead animals to eat and people have to go out and feed them. They also die a lot. Poor guys.
Turkey Vulture
The Turkey Vulture is the most wide spread of the New World Vultures and is found throughout most of the Americas. It is also known in the North America as the Turkey Vulture and John Crow or Carrion Crow in the Caribbean. It is a scavenger and uses thermal updrafts to slowly circle to find carrion. Their heads are read with few feathers. It often rests by spreading its wings.
Owls
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed of owls and one of the most of all birds. It has many different names based on local traditions. It is found in the southern half of the Northern Hemisphere all the way south. It is part of a group of owls, collectively known as barn owls and is separate from typical owls, which are all the owls below. Like most owls they are nocturnal and solitary.
Burrowing Owl
Burrowing owls are small, long-legged owls found throughout open land, including deserts. They nest and roost in burrows, often those dug out by prairie dogs. Unlike most owls, they are often active during the day. They are found across the Americas.
Elf Owl
The Elf Owl lives in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. It is the world's smallest owl. They usually live in abandoned, north-facing woodpecker holes in Saguaro cacti and other trees. They are from 5 to 12 inches tall. They feed mainly on insects.
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl is a large, aggressive owl. It is the most widely disturbed true owl in the Americas. Adults have large ear tufts and their legs and feet are covered with feathers. They are found everywhere except deserts, dense rainforests, and mountainous regions.
Screech Owl
Coming in two, Eastern and Western, varieties, the screech owl is a small owl famous for its whistling shriek. The Eastern Screech Owl is found in woods in eastern North America and nests in tree cavities, while the Western is found in the West.
Snowy Owl
The Snowy Owl is also known as the Arctic Owl, the Great White Owl, or Harfang and is the official bird of Quebec. It is usually found in northern polar regions, but it is a nomadic bird. It nests on the ground, often using other abandoned nests. It primarily eats lemmings and other rodents.
Spotted Owl
The infamous Spotted Owl is found in western North America. They are considered vulnerable on the Endangered Species List.
Here's a cheat sheet of bird of prey wing shapes. Buteo includes the Red-tailed Hawk., and Accipiter includes the Northern Goshawk, Cooper's Hawk. And another one that shows their relative sizes. You get 100 bonus points* if you solve the puzzle.
*100 bonus points entitles you to 1 happy thought or 5 Brownie Points.
Dear California Condor, I'm sorry for talking smack about you. Sincerely, Whitney.
- Please vote on everyone that needs votes!
- One theme at a time.
- Fill out application.
- Tag your application with !needs votes and [na birds of prey]
- Post.
- Wait for votes to come piling in!
Name:
Previously Stamped As:
Age:
Location:
Positive characteristics:
Negative characteristics:
Neutral characteristics:
Aggressive/Passive:
Secretive/Bold:
Alone/Pair/Group:
Loud/Quiet:
Rare/Common:
Stubborn/Adaptive:
Fight/Flight:
Patient/Impatient:
Big/Medium/Small:
Fast/Slow:
Solid/Multi-Colored:
Nocturnal/Diurnal:
Endangered/Widespread:
How do you get along with humans?
What color(s) would you like to be?
What's one thing you'd be specially known for?
How do you get along with other birds?
How would you hunt?
Describe your wings.
What would you be willing to eat?
[ ] birds
[ ] carrion
[ ] fish
[ ] insects
[ ] larger mammals
[ ] reptiles
[ ] small mammals
Pick a location or two: Canada, west U.S., east U.S., Mexico, Central America, South America
Is your habitat shrinking/changing or are you able to adapt?
Where would you nest?
[ ] abandoned nests
[ ] nest you built
[ ] nest you stole
[ ] somewhere people build for you
[ ] tree hollow
[ ] underground
Where would you be willing to live? Choose up to four.
[ ] city
[ ] desert
[ ] forest
[ ] lakes, rivers
[ ] meadows
[ ] mountains
[ ] ocean
[ ] prairie
[ ] rainforest
[ ] suburbs
[ ] tundra
[ ] woods
Which bird of prey do you feel is absolutely nothing like you?
Please vote on all unstamped applications. Check here [ ] when you have finished before posting your application.
[Voters, the list of available stamps is http://community.livejournal.com/animal_stamps/67394.html">here]
Eagles
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is pretty darn awesome. It's the national bird of the United States and is found near water across most of Canada, the U.S., and northern Mexico. They are large birds of prey, growing extremely large in Alaska, and are easily recognizable by their white-feathered heads.
Golden Eagle
While the Bald Eagle is only found in the United States, the Golden Eagle is found across the Northern Hemisphere and is the second of two types of eagles in North America. Like Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles mate for life. They vary greatly in size, but are still considered a larger bird. Both eagles are protected in the United States.
Falcons
American Kestrel
Also known as the Sparrow Hawk, the American Kestrel is the smallest U.S. falcon, or a hawk with long pointed wings. It hunts by hovering in the air with rapid wing beats, searching for prey. They are found from Canada and Alaska to Mexico and the Caribbean, where it migrates further south. It is also the only kestrel found the in the Western Hemisphere. (Kestrels are distinguished from other hawks by their hovering form of hunting.)
Northern Caracara
The Northern Caracara is found din Cuba, northern South America, Central America, Mexico, and the southernmost parts of the U.S., including Florida. They are omnivorous scavengers that prefer carrion, but will eat any small animal. They are also known to steal food from other birds.
Peregrine Falcon
Locally known as the Duck Hawk, the Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal when diving at up to 200 mph. It is about the size of a crow, the female being larger than the male. Its main diet is other birds, but it will also eat small mammals. It is found from the Arctic tundra to the Tropics. In fact, the only major ice-free landmass where it doesn't live is New Zealand, making it the world's most widespread bird of prey.
Prairie Falcon
The Prairie falcon is a crow-sized falcon of western North America. It lives in wide open spaces and nests on cliff ledges. This species is often used in falconry, despite being hard to train, unpredictable, and one of the most aggressive. It is similar to the Peregrine Falcon, and is occasionally crossbred with them.
Harriers
Northern Harrier
Called the Hen Harrier in Europe and the Marsh Hawk in the past, the Northern Harrier found in the Northern hemisphere. The Northern Harrier is medium sized and nests on the ground. It hunts small mammals and tends to be very vocal. They are different from other birds of prey in that they have long wings that they hold in a v-shape.
Hawks
Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's hawk is a medium-sized hawk found from Canada to Mexico. They live in various forests, meadows, and even urban or suburban areas. To hunt they fly quickly through thick vegetation, relying on surprise.
Northern Goshawk
Pronounced goose-hawk, this medium-large bird of prey is found across Europe and North America, where it the only goshawk. The Northern Goshawk is the largest hawk. They hunt in similar style to Cooper's Hawk, and will occasionally kill larger mammals such as rabbits. During the spring breeding season, they perform a rollercoaster display and make their gull-like call.
Red-tailed Hawk
Known sometimes as the chickenhawk, the Red-tailed Hawk actually rarely preys on chickens. It is found from Alaska and Canada to Panama and the West Indies. It is one of the most common hawks in North America. Like many raptors, it has significance in Native American culture. It is usually recognizable by its bright red feathers. It competes with the Great Horned Owl for food and nesting sites.
Kites
Swallow-tailed Kite
The Swallow-tailed kite is found from the southeastern U.S. to the middle of South America. They are well-known for their forked tailed. They live in wood- and wetlands near water. Kites are lighter than falcons and their wings are longer, but just as pointed. This allows them to hover while searching for prey.
White-tailed Kite
The White-tailed Kite is gull-colored, but falcon-shaped with a rounded instead of split tail. It used to be called the Black-shouldered Kite due to the dark feathers across its back. It is found in western North America and parts of South America. It was hunted almost to extinction in the U.S., but has since been brought back.
Ospreys
Osprey
Also known as the fish hawk, sea hawk, or fish eagle, the Osprey is a large bird of prey and is found on all continents except Antarctica. Despite living worldwide, the Osprey is unusual in that it is a single species with only mild differences in subspecies. Fish make up most of the Osprey's diet. They are often featured in Greek and Roman mythology.
Vultures
California Condor
As a native of California, I can safely say that the California Condor is one of the stupidest birds of all time. It is found in small locations at the Grand Canyon, Zion Nation Park, and the western mountains of California and northern Baja California. It is a large black vulture with white under its wings. It also has a bald head. After almost going extinct, conservationists tried to rescue the bird by raising then releasing them into the wild. However, they're so stupid that they can't find dead animals to eat and people have to go out and feed them. They also die a lot. Poor guys.
Turkey Vulture
The Turkey Vulture is the most wide spread of the New World Vultures and is found throughout most of the Americas. It is also known in the North America as the Turkey Vulture and John Crow or Carrion Crow in the Caribbean. It is a scavenger and uses thermal updrafts to slowly circle to find carrion. Their heads are read with few feathers. It often rests by spreading its wings.
Owls
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed of owls and one of the most of all birds. It has many different names based on local traditions. It is found in the southern half of the Northern Hemisphere all the way south. It is part of a group of owls, collectively known as barn owls and is separate from typical owls, which are all the owls below. Like most owls they are nocturnal and solitary.
Burrowing Owl
Burrowing owls are small, long-legged owls found throughout open land, including deserts. They nest and roost in burrows, often those dug out by prairie dogs. Unlike most owls, they are often active during the day. They are found across the Americas.
Elf Owl
The Elf Owl lives in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. It is the world's smallest owl. They usually live in abandoned, north-facing woodpecker holes in Saguaro cacti and other trees. They are from 5 to 12 inches tall. They feed mainly on insects.
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl is a large, aggressive owl. It is the most widely disturbed true owl in the Americas. Adults have large ear tufts and their legs and feet are covered with feathers. They are found everywhere except deserts, dense rainforests, and mountainous regions.
Screech Owl
Coming in two, Eastern and Western, varieties, the screech owl is a small owl famous for its whistling shriek. The Eastern Screech Owl is found in woods in eastern North America and nests in tree cavities, while the Western is found in the West.
Snowy Owl
The Snowy Owl is also known as the Arctic Owl, the Great White Owl, or Harfang and is the official bird of Quebec. It is usually found in northern polar regions, but it is a nomadic bird. It nests on the ground, often using other abandoned nests. It primarily eats lemmings and other rodents.
Spotted Owl
The infamous Spotted Owl is found in western North America. They are considered vulnerable on the Endangered Species List.
Here's a cheat sheet of bird of prey wing shapes. Buteo includes the Red-tailed Hawk., and Accipiter includes the Northern Goshawk, Cooper's Hawk. And another one that shows their relative sizes. You get 100 bonus points* if you solve the puzzle.
*100 bonus points entitles you to 1 happy thought or 5 Brownie Points.
Dear California Condor, I'm sorry for talking smack about you. Sincerely, Whitney.