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Hi! I’m Kevin McGowan.Let’s talk about raptors. They’re fast, powerful, and they’re impressive hunters. There are raptors that are faster than your car, and others that can take prey as large as a small deer. They’re also some of the most noticeable birds out there, because they’re pretty big and many of them perch out in the open.I always watch for raptors when I’m the passenger in a car, zipping down the highway. But, sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s who, especially when they’re far away or go by too quickly, almost in a blur.
In this self-paced, online course, you’ll learn how to identify all 34 species of raptors in the U.S. and Canada. You’ll discover how to use shape, behavior, habitat, and other clues to identification to figure out if you’re looking at a kestrel, or a kite. The course is packed with videos, photos, and information about species that are easy to mix up, so that you can learn how to tell these raptors apart in the field. There are dozens of interactive exercises that let you practice identifying raptors, too.
So, if you’d like to improve your raptor ID skills, I hope you’ll join me for this course.
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End of transcriptAll the Raptors at Your Fingertips
This comprehensive self-paced course covers all 34 species found in the continental U.S. and Canada, with Dr. Kevin McGowan as your friendly guide.
- Discover raptor diversity—from vultures and eagles to kites and falcons
- Learn ID shortcuts with Kevin's Keys to ID videos and diagrams
- Build field skills with the powerful SnapID practice tool
Be a Better Birder: Hawk and Raptor Identification
- Lessons inside: 13
- Topics inside: 40
- Completion time (estimated): 9 hours
- Instructional videos: 48
- Total instructional video time: 2.75 hours
- Level: Advanced
- Categories: Bird Identification
- Regionality: United States/Canada – General
- CEU credits: 0.9 (optional additional purchase)
- SnapID makes practice easy
- Self-paced, no expiration date, 100% online
- 60-day refund guarantee
Why I Made This Course
"How many times have you seen a raptor on a fencepost or passing overhead and wondered what it was? Raptors are a great group of birds to learn because they’re so visible on the landscape and so awe inspiring. I’ve packed all my identification tips and techniques into this course, along with a powerful training tool, so that next time you see a hawk, vulture, or kite fly by, you will be able to name it with confidence. Enjoy!"
What's Inside
This course is packed with videos and cutting-edge practice tools that build your skills in ways that no field guide can. Hone your birding strategies with 9 instructional videos that jumpstart your raptor skills by covering the key techniques for ID—including how to judge size, proportion, and markings from afar. Dive in, species by species, with training videos that provide expert tips for all of the 34 raptors you’ll encounter in the U.S. and Canada. Gain exclusive access to Bird Academy’s custom Keys-to-ID diagrams for each species—both perched and in the air. Get ready for the field with the new and improved SnapID training tool that offers unlimited photo practice to quickly build your confidence. Download the Raptor Cheat Sheets covering all 34 species. It’s self-paced, practice-based, and it’s a lot of fun.
Try SnapID!
Here’s your chance to play with the SnapID tool before you enroll in the course.
Try a Sample Lesson
Dive into the lesson for the Swainson's Hawk—just one of the 34 species covered in the course.
Check Out the Free Sample LessonCourse Overview
Learn the three steps to identifying a raptor and get an overview of the seven groups of raptors covered in this course.
Shape might be the most important character for identifying a raptor. Discover how wing shape, tail shape, and body proportions can be used to determine what kind of raptor you are seeing.
Raptors have different styles of flight, ways of hunting, and social tendencies. Some of them also make calls that are useful in ID. Cue in on which characteristics to watch and listen for.
Some raptor species need very specific habitats, while others don’t. Explore which species can be found where, and how habitat can be a clue for identification.
Raptors have spots, stripes, marks, and patches of light and dark that can help you identify them. Get up to speed on the distinguishing markings that can help you make a quick ID.
Learn about the 12 species of buteo hawks found in the U.S. and Canada—and practice for the field with SnapID.
Learn about the three species of accipiter found in the U.S. and Canada—and practice for the field with SnapID.
Learn about the three species of eagles found in the U.S. and Canada—and practice for the field with SnapID.
Learn about the three species of vultures found in the U.S. and Canada—and practice for the field with SnapID.
Learn about the six species of falcons found in the U.S. and Canada—and practice for the field with SnapID.
Learn about the three species of kites found in the U.S. and Canada—and practice for the field with SnapID.
Learn about the four other species of raptors found in the U.S. and Canada—and practice for the field with SnapID.
Find out about hawk watches, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and other resources to help you connect with raptors in your area.
Meet the Course Instructor
The Wonderful World of Woodpeckers
This Course is Entirely Online
There’s nothing to be shipped, and no additional material is necessary. Bird Academy courses are online, self-paced, and have no deadline to complete the course. You can return to them for reference or practice as often as you want. All course material, practice tools, instructional videos, and quizzes are available through your web browser. Learn anytime, anywhere*. Gain the skills and understanding you’re looking for.
*Requires an internet connection and a modern web browser.
Course Instructor and Author: Kevin McGowan
Course Producer: Laura Helft
Course Developers: Marla Coppolino, Laura Helft
Video Producer and Editor: 11 Lakes Media
Web Designer: Jeff Szuc
Graphic Designer: Jessica French
Additional Graphics: Marla Coppolino, Jill Leichter
Copy Editor: Jill Leichter
Marketing Manger: Bobby Stickel
Executive Producer: Mya Thompson
Special Thanks: Jay McGowan, Matt Medler, Shayna Muller, Lee Ann van Leer
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