by Dan True New Mexico's Noble Birds of Prey
Some birds of prey, such as eagles, falcons, and hawks, hunt from the open sky, searching for rabbits and other small game they can spot on the prairie from more than a mile away. These open sky birds are easily seen because they soar when hunting, and that's why we're familiar with them.
Lesser known but equally interesting are other prey birds that hunt down low, within the forest canopy. Its not easy to see these phantoms of the deep forest because they live and hunt in such close quarters. These forest dwellers, such as the goshawk, Cooper's hawk, and sharp-shinned hawk are also stealthy, causing them to be doubly difficult to notice. These guys hunt jays, flickers, chipmunks and squirrel found in and around tight, closed spaces of tree trunks and branches.
Soaring birds have the luxury of turning slowly as they wheel in the sky. Forest dwellers must be able to turn on a dime. By fanning tails and spreading short, broad wings, they do 90 degree pivots and U-turns at nearly full speed. Where eagles, falcons and hawks are the jets of the skies; goshawks are the "Luke Skywalkers" of the deep timber. Their tails are long, almost equal to the length of their body, and that feature helps them to be masters of the tight, often improbable turn.
These birds have the keen eyesight of their soaring cousins, but in addition they have hearing that is directionally tuned, like an owl's. When hungry, they often listen for prey by perching at the head of a canyon, using echoes from its parabolic effect to home in on the sounds of a squawking jay hidden by foliage, or a squirrel rustling out of sight along the forest floor. With slate blue gray shoulders, a creamy buff breast, and a dark blue lone ranger mask across a gray face dotted by piercing orange eyes, goshawks blend into broken shadows under the trees. To see a goshawk silently dart after prey is memorable. Because they are difficult to spot, these phantomlike birds are known as "ghosts of the forest" and are a treasure of New Mexico's mountains.
Dan True is the author of Hummingbirds of North America, published by the University of New Mexico Press. He is an aviator and former weatherman for the Albuquerque and Amarillo, Texas markets. Visit his web site to learn more.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Click Here to visit the ARCHIVES or
editor@nmjournal.com
Copyright ©2000, 2001 WordPros Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be duplicated in any form without the express written consent of WordPros Publications, Inc. This includes all text, formatting, graphics, photographs, scripts and coding, etc. All brand names, logos, and product names used on these web pages are trademarks or tradenames of their respective holders. Terms of Use.
