[Length 15 in. Wingspan 39 in.]

This White-tailed Kite in flight was photographed at Laguna Atascosa NWR, Texas. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: January 1988)

[Length 10 in. Wingspan 24 in.]

This Merlin in flight was photographed during fall migration at Cape May, New Jersey. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Ektachrome 200 film. (Date: September 1988)

[Length 10 in. Wingspan 24 in.]

This Merlin was photographed during fall migration at Higbee Beach in Cape May, New Jersey. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: September 1988)

[Length 23 in. Wingspan 63 in.]

Osprey breed along coasts and lakes throughout much of Canada and Alaska, the northwestern US, the Great Lakes, and along the eastern and gulf coasts of the US. They suffered heavy losses in North America during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s due to pesticides (primarily DDT), which caused eggs with thin shells to be laid. They are recovering due to the ban of harmful pesticides and have returned to many traditional nesting sites. Osprey feed exclusively on fish, which they hunt by hovering over a pond or lake and then diving feet-first into the water to grab the fish with their strong talons. Their feet have spiny projections on the soles, an evolutionary adaptation which helps hold the fish in flight. As they fly away with their catch, they hold the fish with one leg in front of the other, which is thought to reduce the wind resistance of the fish. This Osprey was photographed as it hovered over a pond in Everglades National Park, Florida. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: January 1991)

[Length 23 in. Wingspan 63 in.]

This Osprey was photographed perching on an old telephone pole in southern Florida. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 64 film. (Date: June 1983)

[Length 10.5 (Male) to 11.75 (Female) in. Wingspan xx in.]

The Japanese Sparrowhawk is a medium-sized Accipiter which breeds in southeastern Russia, North Korea, and most of Japan. It spends the winter in southeastern China, southeastern Asia, and the southern islands of Japan. This Japanese Sparrowhawk was photographed in winter as it hunted from a perch on telephone wires along a road on the island of Okinawa in Japan. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm EDAF f4 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: February 1996)

[Length 25 in. Wingspan 59 in.]

The Black Vulture is a common bird throughout the southern US, ranging as far west as Arizona. It is easily recognized and distinguished from its cousin, the Turkey Vulture, by its all-black head (although young Turkey Vultures also have dark heads). In flight, Black Vultures flap their wings much more than Turkey Vultures, and the white patches in the primaries and very short tail also quickly identify them. This one was photographed near a road kill along a road in southern Florida. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 64 film. (Date: November 1979)

[Length 25 in. Wingspan 59 in.]

This Black Vulture taking flight was photographed near Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 64 film. (Date: November 1979)