Raptor Identification Resources

Brian Rusnica has created an in-depth look at eastern hawk identification and has been gracious enough to share this resource with the public through HMANA. Use the button below to access the workshop.

HMANA has also gathered other great resources to assist in becoming better at raptor identification.

A Guide to Hawks Seen in North America by the Hawk Migration Association of North America (2009). An expanded version of the earlier Northeast guide, this new two–page guide shows soaring silhouettes and key field marks for 21 migratory hawks regularly seen in most of North America. You can download and print the guide free for personal, noncommercial use. You can also purchase a special laminated edition designed for heavy use in the field. Individual and bulk ordering information is available from HMANA. 

A Guide to Hawks Seen in the Northeast by the NorthEast Hawk Watch, a chapter of HMANA (2008). This two-page guide shows soaring silhouettes and key field marks for the migratory hawks regularly seen in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. You can download and print the guide free for personal, noncommercial use. You can also order inexpensive printed editions of the guide: a standard edition printed on heavy, glossy card stock or a special laminated edition designed for heavy use in the field. Individual and bulk ordering information is available from the Northeast Hawk Watch website.

Eastern Raptor Migrant Guide by Bob Pettit for the Hawk Migration Association of North America (c. 2014). A two-page crib sheet describes each migrant species seen in the northeastern quadrant of North America by body, tail, wing, head, underparts, flight, and behavior. Download free of charge.

Hawkwatching FAQs by The Hawk Migration Association of North America. If you are new to hawk watching or have basic questions, this will help you find the answers to commonly asked questions.

Eastern Hawk ID Program by Bob Pettit, Holiday Beach Migration Observatory. This PDF presentation highlights recognizing hawk types, their flight characters and assists in discovering flight ID (identification) clues. You will view ‘slides’ of the common eastern migrant raptors in flight and read narratives of their flight mechanics as indicators of identification. A review quiz is included.

© Jerry Ligouri

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