Date: 11/20/07
Contact: Margie Klein
Phone: (702) 486-5127, ext. 3502

NOW IS THE TIME TO VIEW RAPTORS

Now that fall is here and the temperatures are slowly dropping, it time to think about getting outside to view the fall migration of birds. While most people associate fall migration with waterfowl, raptors, also known as birds of prey, are also a migratory bird. Raptors from the north fly in to Southern Nevada and join those that are year-long residents, and that makes these beautiful birds plentiful during the fall and winter months.

The list of raptors you might see includes golden eagles, ospreys, red-tailed hawks and kestrels. Other raptors, such as the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon can be seen moving into southern Nevada at this time as well, but “the most common of the migratory raptors that we see here are the Cooper’s hawk and sharp-shinned hawk,” said Cris Tomlinson, supervisory biologist for Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Hawks travel in the daytime, gliding high on thermal air currents rather than flapping their wings. This enables them to conserve energy.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.