Hawks from Every Angle: How to Identify Raptors In Flight

The title says it all. This book does indeed show raptors in flight from just about every angle. The book does not include most non-migratory or local species, but instead focuses on those species likely to be seen at hawkwatches. Therefore, such species as Snail Kite, Hook-billed Kite, and Gray Hawk, among others, are not included. It does include these 22 species:

• Accipiters: Sharp-shinned; Cooper’s; Northern Goshawk
• Northern Harrier
• Buteos: Red-shouldered; Broad-winged; Swainson’s; Red-tailed; Ferruginous; Rough-legged
• Falcons: American Kestrel; Merlin; Peregrine; Prairie; Gyrflacon; Mississippi Kite (shown as a “similar species”)
• Vultures: Black; Turkey; Zone-tailed Hawk (shown as a “similar species”)
• Osprey; Bald Eagle; Golden Eagle

So how does this compare to the Wheeler Raptor guides? The most obvious difference is that this guide only shows hawks in flight, while the Wheelers show both in-flight and perched birds. On the other hand, this book is lighter and easier to carry in the field. If possible, I would recommend having both guides as they are both excellent and complement each other nicely. But if you had to choose just one the choice would depend on where you would be using it. If you spend a good deal of time at hawkwatches then the Liguori book is the one for you due to its focus on in-flight birds and its portability. Otherwise I would recommend the Wheeler guides as they include more species and more diverse photos.

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