Nick Alioto will present his ongoing research on the movement ecology of Red-tailed Hawks that utilize the Straits of Mackinac. He will begin by on how this project started and why he is interested in studying Red-tailed Hawk migration in this area. He will also speak about what we have learned through the first year of tracking Red-tailed Hawks in the Straits region, including information on their breeding and wintering distributions and the migratory routes they use. He will also discuss what he has been doing so far this spring as the project enters its second year and what questions he hopes to answer with his research. 

The talk will include what he has learned from his research on putting transmitters on Red-tailed Hawks. During their initial encounters with the birds, Nick measured their weight, wing and tail length, and took blood samples. Understanding where a bird has traveled allows Nick to understand these birds’ migration patterns, nesting, and habitat use over a long time period,  


The Red-tailed Hawk is a great gateway species into birding or hawk watching. Among the large, soaring hawks known as buteos, Red-tails are the most widespread in North America. They often hunt along highways, circling overhead or hovering in place as they scan the ground for prey. You’ve probably seen one from a distance, but here is a closer look at this magnificent bird.  Red-tails are among the largest Buteo hawks in North America. They’re built to soar, with wingspans that average a little over four feet. Females are typically much larger than males, which is common among raptors.

Zoom Link for May 14 meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87884241033?pwd=607v4tWxtfsah2Q6a4EGHquw7IIA2c.1

Meeting ID: 878 8424 1033
Passcode: 928000

One tap mobile +13126266799,,87884241033#,,,,*928000# US (Chicago) +16469313860,,87884241033#,,,,*928000# US

Dial by your location
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US

Meeting ID: 878 8424 1033
Passcode: 928000
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbpRP1a4Yk