Check out this Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) soaring over the suburban streets of Texas! These birds are usually seen in more rural environments, such as farmlands or long stretches of road, but I was pleasantly surprised to have this bird soar close over my head as I walked my dog. Check out the nictitating membrane... Continue Reading →
Urban Observation: Clash of the Titans
While huddled up in a nook on my apartment's rooftop, camera set up and aimed at the skies above, I briefly witnessed a skirmish between a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). I was able to document the interaction above my head with the featured image above. I feel so honored... Continue Reading →
Urban Observation of the Week: Red-tailed Hawk in Harlem
This week our observation comes from Dr. Christy Zolnik who spotted this Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) on the southern edge of Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, New York City. We've posted about Red-tailed Hawks before as part of our Urban Observation of the Week, but seeing hawks in the city never ceases to amaze me.... Continue Reading →
IUWC 2019: Urban Raptors
Raptors are making a comeback in cities around the world, thanks to the discontinuation of DDT. We've highlighted raptors including Red-tailed Hawks and Peregrine Falcons previously in our Urban Observation of the Week. Within cities, pigeon and rat populations provide ample food and researchers in many cities are investigating what resources and landscape variables dictate... Continue Reading →