These are the raptors we count at the hawk watch as photographed by Denver Field Ornithologists (DFO) members.
A great two-page raptor identification guide is available from Hawk Migration Association (HMA)
Download the HMA raptor guide
Black Vulture
(RARITY)
Vultures - non-raptors but often fly with them
short flat wings; white primary patches; stiff wingbeats; rare in Colorado
0 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Turkey Vulture
Vultures - non-raptors but often fly with them
long wings; distinct dihedral; light flight feathers
11,256 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Osprey
Other - unique shapes
long, narrow wings; M shape in flight
1,336 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Golden Eagle
Eagles - long, broad wings
flies with slight dihedral; head projects less than tail; immature has distinct white at base of tail and primaries
1,102 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Northern Harrier
Other - unique shapes
long wings and tail; white rump
1,090 recorded

© Jim Esten
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Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipters - short, wide, rounded wings, long tail
wrist of wing extends to head making it look nearly headless
6,184 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Cooper's Hawk
Accipters - short, wide, rounded wings, long tail
straight leading edge of wings; head extends beyond wings
7,975 recorded

© John Breitsch
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American Goshawk
Accipters - short, wide, rounded wings, long tail
bulky accipter approaching buteo size; often described as a stovepipe with wings
147 recorded

© Jerry Liguori/Macaulay Library
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Bald Eagle
Eagles - long, broad wings
long flat wings with straight leading edge; head and tail projection similar
1,344 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Mississippi Kite
(RARITY)
Other - unique shapes
narrow, pointed wings and long tail; white body; dark wings and tail ; rare along Front Range
0 recorded

© Don Danko/Macaulay Library
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Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteos - broad rounded wings, broad short tail
narrowly banded tail; dark wing linings with window near wing tip; rare in Colorado
3 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Broad-winged Hawk
Buteos - broad rounded wings, broad short tail
smaller buteo with short banded tail; in good light has white underwings with black edge
1,441 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Swainson's Hawk
Buteos - broad rounded wings, broad short tail
dark breast and flight feathers; white wing linings; strong dihedral
777 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Red-tailed Hawk
Buteos - broad rounded wings, broad short tail
many sub-species but all have dark patagial/leading edge of wing
18,067 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Rough-legged Hawk
Buteos - broad rounded wings, broad short tail
dark belly and wrists; white tail with subterminal banding; strong dihedral
152 recorded

© Jim Esten
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Ferruginous Hawk
Buteos - broad rounded wings, broad short tail
large buteo; pale wth dark leggings; whitish tail
1,116 recorded

© Jim Esten
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American Kestrel
Falcons - long pointed wings, long tapered tail
light underneath; jay-sized; bouyant flight
11,455 recorded

© Jim Esten
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Merlin
Falcons - long pointed wings, long tapered tail
small and dark with banded tail; fast, direct flight
337 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Peregrine Falcon
Falcons - long pointed wings, long tapered tail
light breat and throat; quick, powerful wingbeats
427 recorded

© John Breitsch
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Prairie Falcon
Falcons - long pointed wings, long tapered tail
large, pale falcon; black armpits
476 recorded

© John Breitsch
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