Raptor Roost
Adjacent to California Trails is an exhibit of California birds of prey.
Two red-tailed hawks and one turkey vulture, for various reasons, cannot
be returned to the wild. But these longtime Zoo residents offer additional
examples of raptors found in the Golden State and are a striking contrast,
in size alone, to their condor neighbors.
Red-tailed Hawks
Range/Habitat: All over North America from Alaska and northern Canada (except Arctic tundra) to Panama and the West Indies. In or near forest margins, low-lying open woodlands, plains, valleys, and mountain slopes
Description: Red-tailed hawks are up to two feet long, have a wingspan of four or five feet and can weigh more than three pounds. Females are larger than males. Coloration can vary widely, but they all share the distinctive brick-red tail.
Breeding: Red-tailed hawks usually pair for life and mate during March and April. Courting displays involve pairs circling and grooming each other. Their nests consist of platforms of sticks in forks of trees or on the edge of cliffs. Females lay up to five eggs each season which hatch after about a month. Chicks fledge (take their first flight) at about 45 days and are independent in about ten weeks.
Diet: Mostly small mammals, but also amphibians, reptiles, fish, and occasionally smaller birds
Status: Protected
Fun Fact: Red-tailed hawks are the most widely distributed hawks in North America; they have great eyesight and can spot a rabbit at a distance of 1,000 yards.
The Zoo’s Hawks: The Zoo has two red-tails, a male, Charlie and a female, Dakota.
Turkey Vultures
Habitat/Range: Turkey vultures exist in a wide range of habitats from deserts to savannas and grasslands, to tropical and temperate forests. Their range extends across much of the continental United States, into Central America, and throughout most of South America. Birds in the northern limits of its range migrate south as far as South America.
Description:. One of North America's largest birds of prey, they reach 32 inches in length with a wing span of six feet. Overall color is brown-black with a featherless, red head, white bill and yellow feet among mature adults. Immature birds have a darker face. Silver-gray flight feathers look lighter than the black lining feathers of the underwing. Its long tail extends beyond its legs and feet in flight. Although usually silent, they occasionally emit a soft hiss or groan.
Breeding: Nests in small caves, on the ground under bushes, or in hollowed stumps and logs. The female lays two eggs that are incubated for 38 to 41 days. Unlike most birds of prey, the chicks are fed regurgitated food, not fresh pieces of meat. The young vultures fledge (first fly) in ten to 11 weeks.
Diet: Best known for their practice of feeding on dead animal carcasses, but will occasionally attack young and helpless animals as well. One of the few birds of prey able to use smell to locate food.
Fun Fact: Their common name refers to the red skin on the head and dark body feathers that resemble the wild turkey. Turkey vultures have been called buzzards, John Crow, red-necked buzzard, and carrion crows. Turkey vultures, black vultures, and California Condor comprise the c athartidae family, referred to as the American Vultures.
The Zoo’s Vulture: The Zoo’s turkey vulture was hand-raised after being found abandoned as a chick. She is “imprinted” on humans and cannot be rereleased into the wild.
Photo credit: Ian Voster