Barn Owl, Hillsboro, Oregon, 22 October 2009 by Greg Gillson.
The 13 categories of North American birds listed in the Field-friendly bird sequence: Part II are:
Swimming Waterbirds
Flying Waterbirds
Wading Waterbirds
Chicken-like Birds
Raptors
Miscellaneous Landbirds
Aerial Landbirds
Flycatcher-like Birds
Thrush-like Songbirds
Chickadee and Wren-like Songbirds
Warbler-like Songbirds
Sparrow and Finch-like Songbirds
Blackbird-like Songbirds
A beginner should be able to quickly place a bird they see into one of these categories.
Raptors are birds of prey that hunt other birds and animals. They have strong beaks and claws. Many can be seen soaring high overhead, while others hunt low from a concealed perch.
Raptors include vultures, hawks and eagles, falcons, and owls.
Bald Eagle, Tualatin River NWR, Sherwood, Oregon, 6 July 2010 by Greg Gillson.
Peregrine Falcon, Hillsboro, Oregon, 29 April 2010 by Greg Gillson.
Turkey Vulture, Newport, Oregon, 12 September 2008 by Greg Gillson.
Red-tailed Hawk, Hillsboro, Oregon, 6 December 2008 by Greg Gillson.