Here is a tip that we used to use when we were running a hawk watch with raptors that were always moving.
We would always leave or put the Eagle, Osprey, and Harrier aside in our minds. They were so distinctive from the other Raptors, we could recognize and separate them out quickly. For instance, the Eagle is recognized for its LARGE size. The Harrier by its very elongated wings and white rump. And you could throw size in there also. The Osprey with the "fingers" and black and white color helps to identify that quickly.
NOW having established that, here are my keys to hawks in flight!!
1. Falcons (Kestral, Merlin and Peregrine) these birds are very quick in comparison to other Raptors. They have a faster wingbeat. Plus they have pointed wings. You'll never see 'fingers' on the ends of a Falcons wings! To separate them easier, the kestrel shows cinnamon. The females have it more so then the males. If you see "blue" it is a male kestrel.
2. Merlin's are again quicker Raptors that are larger then kestrels. What separates them quickly for me is they are often much darker in color then kestrels. They seem to me to present themselves as chocolate brown. As a hint, get to Merlin quickly in your mind and worry male or female later!!
3. Peregrine Falcon is a BIG pointed wing Raptor not as quick as a kestrel or a Merlin but they are a lot quicker then a Buteo. And because of their large size, one would tend to think of them as a buteo rather then a Small falcon or Accipiter. But they always present with pointed wings.
Practice practice practice. On web sites or in bird books you can find silhouettes to look at. Just sit with some coffee or tea and study them, stare at them. Trust me, they will sink in.
Next I'll post about the Accipiter group.
I sincerely hope that this helps anyone who has trouble identifying Raptors in flight.
