Mike in the Wild

Birds of prey or raptors fascinate people more than most other birds.  Stealthy and powerful hunters, they instill fear and respect in the animal kingdom even when not in fierce attack mode.  Mankind has even channeled a passion for them in the form of the ancient sport of falconry. These birds that feed on small animals like rodents and often other birds belong in several avian families, including eagles, buzzards, owls, falcons and hawks.   If you see a bird of prey soaring high in the sky or perched on a utility pole, it's most likely a red-tailed hawk because it's the most widespread and common raptor on the North American continent. Of course it's the screech of the red-tailed hawk that helps set the bar for the ferocity that we associate with all birds of prey.  It's a short, high-pierced scream that every Hollywood film uses when they want to portray the sound of a hunter like the much larger eagle.  But in fact it's this common hawk's call alone...