Raptor Habitat

Note: Snow drifts in this area may make accessing the container difficult from about November until April. If you want to access this during the winter months, snow shoes may be very helpful.

Staunton State Park is a wonderful habitat for raptors, containing open Ponderosa forests and grasslands, creeks and ponds, dense spruce/fir forests, meadows, rock outcroppings, and a rich variety of wildlife and birds. A raptor is a special type of bird which captures live animal, fish or bird prey, although it may opportunistically eat carrion, and is often referred to as a Bird of Prey. The word “raptor” means “to seize or grasp” in Latin. Raptors use their powerful, sharp talons to capture their prey, eat their food, and to defend themselves. Eagles, hawks, and falcons are all considered raptors. Vultures are considered raptors as well, though they normally eat carrion. The focus of this cache are the diurnal (daytime hunting) raptors, and on those species which are known to spend part of their life cycle in Staunton State Park, and which you may see while exploring the trails during daylight hours.

Raptors have acute vision, which is estimated to be eight to ten times better than that of humans. Raptors use their excellent vision to locate and track their prey. A raptor’s eyes are relatively large, and they can move their focus, but also rotate their heads regularly to track potential prey as well as potential threats. Since humans and their pets are a potential threat, it may be necessary to limit human activity within up to a half mile of nesting raptors, so that they don’t abandon their nest at the critical time for the next generation. You may encounter trail closures due to nesting raptors.

Eagles

Staunton is home to both Bald and Golden Eagles. With wingspans of 6 to more than 7 feet, they are the largest raptors in the Park.

Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle has been the USA national symbol since 1792. The species is recovering population after being threatened by pesticides such as DDT. It is seldom found far from water, and eats fish, small mammals, and carrion. It builds large nests in tall trees, and both parents attend and defend the nest.

Golden Eagle

The Golden Eagle is almost as large as the Bald Eagle, but can be found in a more diverse range of habitats. It will hunt in grasslands, woodlands, sagebrush, mixed terrain and agricultural lands. It will nest on cliffs as well as tall trees. It is often seen flying.

Hawks

Buteos or Grassland Hawks

These hawks spend time sitting on power poles or fence posts looking for prey, or soaring on the thermals with minimum effort above the ground. They have broad wings and short tails.

Red Tail Hawk

The Red Tail Hawk is the only representative of this group normally found in Staunton State Park, and is the raptor most often seen by visitors, and the most common hawk in North America. Its preferred habitat is grasslands, woodlands, and forest edges. It feeds on small mammals and snakes. It can be easily identified by the reddish tail feathers, and is represented by the cache container. It also has pale “backpack straps” on its upper back.

Accipiters or Forest Hawks

The forest Hawks have short, rounded wings and long tails for exceptional maneuverability when flying fast through dense forests. They fly with rapid beats of the wings and a short glide. They have striped tails. Three hawks of this group are native to Staunton State Park.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

This small, slender hawk is nearly the size of a jay, less than a foot in overall length. Its flight style is quick wingbeats separated by a glide. It can be heard giving a series of short, sharp shrill notes.

Cooper’s Hawk

This medium sized hawk has an overall length of about 17 inches. When flying, the relatively large head is seen projecting forward of the wings. Wingbeats are stiff and choppy, and its call is a series of flat, nasal, barking sounds, less shrill than the smaller accipiter.

Northern Goshawk

This hawk is relatively stocky, with a broad body and slightly pointed wings. Largest of the accipiters, its overall length is about 21 inches, and can be confused with buteos. It normally hunts medium-sized birds in ambush attacks in dense cover. Its wingbeats are powerful and stiff, and it has a white mark over the eyes. Its call is a loud cackling, slow and higher-pitched than the Cooper’s hawk. Please be aware that this raptor is known to aggressively protect its nest from any threat, including humans.

Falcons

These raptors have pointed and tapered wings that are built for speed and agile flight. Falcons are some of the most favored birds for sport-hunting in falconry.

American Kestrel

This is the smallest falcon, with overall length of about 9 inches. Wingbeats are weak and shallow, and it hovers over prey with rapidly beating wings. When perched, it habitually bobs its tail. Its call is a shrill, clear screaming much higher and weaker than other raptors. It is usually found in relatively open habitat.

Peregrine Falcon

This is a medium-size, stocky falcon with an overall length to about 20 inches. The tips of wings reach the end of tail when perching. It likes open and cliff habitats, but is sometimes found on high buildings in cities. It hunts mainly medium-sized birds and rodents from high above, diving with the sun at its back. Reported to be the fastest animal on earth, it can reach speeds of over 200 miles/hour when diving with wings tucked (right photo below). Wide stripes on side of head appear to be a dark helmet. When they are nesting on Lion’s Head, it is necessary to close the trail to the top so not to disturb the parents.

Vultures

Vultures are exceptionally large, scavenging raptors with bald, featherless heads. Carrion or roadkill is their preferred diet and vultures (often also called condors or buzzards) can soar for hours while searching for a meal. When a kill is found, many vultures may gather to take advantage of the same food source.

Turkey Vulture

These large soaring birds, up to 26 inches long, have a small featherless red head. They spend hours soaring on thermals, looking for dead animals. They are one of the few bird species with a developed sense of smell. They are mostly dark colored, but have flight feathers at the end of their wings that look like separated fingers. These are some of the more commonly seen raptors in open areas of Colorado.

Photo credits:

Lee Farrell, goshawk (both) http://lee13.smugmug.com/
Anita Ritenour/Flickr Peregrine in tuck position; CC by 2.0
Bill Schmoker, others http://schmoker.org/BirdPics/Raptors.html

There is a chance you may see other raptors in Staunton, and it is likely that they are only visiting. Please report sighting to Park Staff.

This cache is located within Staunton State Park, which has one public entrance along S. Elk Creek Road, six miles west of Conifer, about 1.5 miles off U.S. Highway 285. Parking along either side of S. Elk Creek Road and Upper Ranch Road adjacent to the park boundary is prohibited. All vehicles entering the park must have a daily park pass ($8) or a CO state park annual or special pass.

The Park is open year-round, and day use hours at 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. A walk-in campground (up to Ľ mile from parking) is open for public use, and overnight parking is currently permitted only for those staying in the campground. During summer and autumn weekends, the park may reach capacity, and cars are allowed to enter only if a parking space is available. Horse trailers are admitted if space is available for parking trailers. All Park trails are natural surface, some trails are hiker-only, but other trails are multiuse for bicycles and horses also. Information about the park can be found at Staunton State Park website

All visitors must follow park rules and regulations. These include dogs on leash at all times, clean up after pets, travel on developed trails to the extent feasible, leave no trace, respect areas closed for resource management, and be careful around wildlife (especially mountain lions, coyotes, and black bears). Fires are strictly prohibited, except for camp stoves with an on/off switch in the designated campsites and grilles found in the picnic areas. No motorized vehicles are allowed on trails within the Park. An exception is the special tracked chairs that the Park offers to visitors who cannot access selected trails on their own mobility. Pack your own trash out of the back country, and trash receptacles are located near the parking areas. Also, be prepared for changing weather, bring adequate water and footwear, and trails may be snow-covered or icy in winter.

Additional Waypoints

01821NF - SR trail location
N 39° 30.155 W 105° 22.730
Convenient point to leave Staunton Ranch trail due to terrain.
T0821NF - Staunton Ranch Trailhead
N 39° 30.075 W 105° 22.727
Near upper Meadow paved parking lot and restrooms, picnic tables, and water (seasonally available). Staunton Ranch trail is available to bicycles and horses, as well as hikers.