Montaña de Oro Raptor Identification Tips
By Freeman Hall, (edited by Mike Baird morro-bay.com Docent Pages  Rev. 18 February, 2008)

Large dark birds  (slow wing flapping)
Turkey Vulture Wings two-toned and held upward in V; small head		Golden Eagle Wings rectangular-shaped and held flat; large head
Mid-size soaring birds  (more rapid wing flapping)
Red-tailed Hawk Wing shape is “chunky” with dark patagial mark	Red-shouldered Hawk Wings and breast reddish; bold tail bars	Swainson’s Hawk Wings two-toned w/white lining and held upward	Ferruginous Hawk Nearly all white below; wings held upward and pointed
Mid-sized birds usually flying quite low  (seldom hovering)
Osprey Wings quite long & w/crook and dark wrists		Northern Harrier Wings held upward; white rump patch
Smaller birds with pointed wings  (rapid wing flapping)
Peregrine Falcon Dark appearance and deep wing strokes	Prairie Falcon Dark wing marks near body	American Kestrel Quite small and hovering flight	Merlin Dark, like a small Peregrine but only faint mustache
Smaller birds with rounded wings  (three flaps and a sail)
Cooper’s Hawk Long barred tail with curved white tip		Sharp-shinned Hawk Long barred tail with square tip