Raptors - the charismatic group of birds that includes hawks, eagles, and falcons - evoke power, swiftness, and grace. They are absolute icons of the California landscape. Featuring descriptions of every diurnal California raptor, this state-of-the-art, beautifully illustrated guide is the first to combine identification of these important birds with a comprehensive discussion of their natural history. * Covers 27 species, with range maps for the 18 species regularly occurring in California * 104 color figures include photographs and wash drawings illustrating habitats, anatomy, field marks, and behavior * 12 full-page color plates show the various plumages of each species - including rarities - as well as their appearance in flight * Highly readable and accessible, even when covering complicated topics such as flight and evolutionary adaptations