Glossary

accipiter	A woodland bird of prey that hunts other birds by chasing them through trees. Accipiters have short, fat wings and a long tail for maneuvering through trees. They often follow a "flap, flap, flap, glide" flight pattern when seen over Hawk Ridge.
banding	A research activity in which birds are captured, examined, measured, and banded by having a metal band placed around their leg. Each band has a unique number, so if the bird is ever recaptured or recovered, data can be shared with the original banding station.
banding station	Any location authorized to conduct research by banding birds. Most banding stations are federally protected and not usually open to the public.
belly band	A streak across the a bird's belly that is either lighter or darker than the main belly color.
binocular vision	Having eyes facing the front of the head so the animal can focus both eyes on an object. Most predators have this type of vision. It helps them be more accurate hunters.
buteo	A bird of prey that hunts smaller animals by soaring over an open area. Buteos have long, wide wings and a short, wide tail. They are the "classic" soaring bird seen over Hawk Ridge.
carpal patch	An area of lighter or darker coloring on the joint in the middle of a bird's wing.
dihedral	Flying with the wings held in a "V" shape. Turkey vultures and harriers often fly this way.
diurnal	Active during daylight hours.
facial disk	The flat, circular area around an owl's eyes. It helps direct sound into the ears, which are behind the facial disk.
falcon	A bird of prey that hunts birds and other animals by diving at them. Falcons tend to have longer, narrower, tapered wings and long tails.
glide	A flight pattern where a bird flies with its wings outstretched but slightly tucked. Birds of prey often glide in between thermals.
kettle	A group of birds circling on the same thermal. So named because the birds look like a boiling kettle.
migration	The seasonal movement of birds and other animals in order to follow their food source.
nocturnal	Active at night.
passerine	Songbirds and other perching birds.
patagial patch	An area of lighter or darker coloring on the front edge of a bird's wing between the body and the middle joint.
peripheral vision	Having eyes located more on the side of the head, which increases visibility to the side and behind. Most prey animals have peripheral vision.
raptor	A bird of prey. All raptors have a sharp, curved beak and sharp talons.
soar	A fligh pattern where the bird "rides the wind" with its wings fully spread.
terminal band	A band at the tip of a bird's tail that is either lighter or darker than the rest of the tail.
thermal	A rising column of warm air, often found above rock outcrops, buildings or parking lots.
updraft	Air that rises when the wind meet a ridge or rock outcrop.
wingspan	The distance from one wingtip to the other.
wrist comma	A comma shaped mark at the middle joint on a bird's wing.