Hawk Ridge: Minnesota's Birds of Prey

by Laura Erickson, Betsy Bowen (Illustrator)

Was Caesar like the eagle because of his aquiline (from aquila, for “eagle” in Latin) nose, or does the eagle seem imperial because of his Caesar-like beak? Does the sharp vision of a “hawk-eyed” observer have any basis in nature? And what the heck is “kettling” to a bird-watcher, or, for that matter, a bird? Raptors have captured the imagination from time immemorial and have an especially rich history in Minnesota. The ancient peoples whose pictographs adorn the rock faces of Lake Superior’s North Shore may well have witnessed the first hawk movements along Lake Superior—the same annual migration that today draws as many as twenty thousand people to Duluth’s Hawk Ridge. These birds, passing through in astounding numbers, are among the hawks and accipiters, buteos and harriers, eagles and ospreys pictured and profiled in detail in this book. Written by one of Minnesota’s best-known bird authorities, with images by one of the state’s favorite illustrators, Hawk Ridge is as fun as it is informative. It introduces the state’s raptors, from the rare visitor to the most familiar hawk, noting each species’ signature traits—osprey wings, for instance, are crooked to help them catch fish; vultures urinate on their legs to cool themselves—and their nesting, breeding, and migrating habits. Did you know that Sharp-shinned Hawks banded at Hawk Ridge have been found throughout Central America and even into South America, and also, in midwinter, in Wisconsin? Laura Erickson offers a broad perspective (a bird’s-eye view!), making sense of the raptor’s role in the larger ornithological scheme. With descriptions of various species—and helpful distinctions between species, families, and orders—the book gives readers a clear idea of which raptors might be seen in Minnesota, when, where, and how often. It also includes a hawk migration primer that explains the movements that bring these birds in such awe-inspiring numbers to places like Hawk Ridge. Filled with curious facts and practical information for expert and amateur bird-watcher alike, the book is at once a guide to the hawks of Minnesota and a beautifully illustrated album of the most regal members of the avian kingdom.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Animals

91 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2012

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minnesota environmental activist and bird educator Laura Erickson and illustrator Besty Bowen, who previously collaborated on the book Twelve Owls , which examined the strigine species to be found in their home state, join forces again in this second title, this time looking at birds of prey which can be observed migrating in the skies above Duluth's Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, on the shores of Lake Superior. After a brief introduction about raptors in general, the book profiles twenty species, divided into various categories, with four to six pages devoted to each bird, on average. Each section contains an initial illustration in color and subsequent ones in black and white. The birds discussed include the: Turkey Vulture / Black Vultures / Osprey / Bald Eagle / Golden Eagle / Northern Harrier / Mississippi Kite / Sharp-shinned Hawk / Cooper's Hawk / Northern Goshawk / Broad-winged Hawk / Red-tailed Hawk / Rough-legged Hawk / Red-shouldered Hawk / Swainson's Hawk / American Kestrel / Merlin / Peregrine Falcon / Gyrfalcon / Prairie Falcon.

Like Twelve Owls , I requested Hawk Ridge: Minnesota's Birds of Prey through interlibrary loan because I am an admirer of Betsy Bowen's artwork, and like that earlier book from this pair, I was under the mistaken impression it was for children. As it turns out, it is not, although I think the brief sections on different birds would make it an easier read for motivated middle grade and teen readers with a strong interest in this subject. In any case, I found the book both informative and enjoyable, appreciating Erickson's description turns of phrase, and many of the facts I learned for the first time here. I had no idea Peregrine Falcons were so fast—able to fly at more than 200 miles an hour!—or that vultures had gained a bad reputation for eating carrion, when Bald Eagles had not, despite doing the same thing. The book was published in 2012, so some of the information might be a little out of date—for instance, mention is made in the section on Red-tailed Hawks of Pale Male, a famous example of the species then living in New York City, who sadly died in 2023—but overall it probably holds up pretty well. The accompanying artwork, done in acrylic paint in the color illustrations and in ink in the black and white ones, was as appealing as I'd expected it to be, and added to my reading pleasure. I would recommend this one to bird lovers who are interested in the raptors of Minnesota, as well as to fellow fans of the artist.

[Liz De Coster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite a coffee table book, not quite a children's book, so hard to qualify. But if you're interested in hawk migration in Duluth, it's quite informative and has lovely illustrations.

[Paula Andrzejewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is splendid. Betsy Bowen's woodcuts enhance the beauty of these wonderful birds.