 Red-tail Hawk
The red-tail is one of the most common and widspread hawks in all of North America. It sometimes
perches in a tree watching for rodent prey. At other times it glides over the desert looking for a meal.
Golden Eagle
The largest and most majestic bird of prey to be seen in this area of the Chihuahuan Desert is the Golden Eagle.
They glide over the desert looking for rabbits, hares, larger rodents and even carrion.
 Swainson's Hawk
These gentle hawks live in harmony with other smaller birds that share their habitat. The diet of the Swainson
consists of crickets, grasshoppers and small mammals.
Turkey Vulture
The turkey vulture would never win a beauty contest but they are a necessary member of the desert community.
By riding termals (rising columns of warm air) these birds can glide for hours over the desert searching for dead animals to feed upon.
They locate their dinner using both vision and a sharp sense of smell. They perform a valuable service by their removal of garbage
and diseased carcasses of animals.
 Chihuahuan Raven
While not a true bird of prey, the raven is often grouped with them. It feeds on a variety of larger insects, carrion and garbage.
As with the vulture, they perform a much needed service. They sometimes gather in large, noisy groups and are quite social. However,
during the breeding season this behavior disappears and the pairs of birds nest in widely spaced territories.
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