There is nothing quite like the thrill of sighting a bird of prey. Although these larger birds are more easily seen than diminutive warblers, they are exceptionally quick and tend to be secretive.

Several have similar plumage, so this group presents special identification challenges to birders.

With the exception of the northern harrier (also known as the marsh hawk) and the osprey, hawks can be separated into three groups: accipiters, buteos and falcons.

The accipiters include the sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper’s hawk and northern goshawk. These birds have short, rounded wings and long tails, which enable them to maneuver through heavy brush and dense forest.

The buteos are larger hawks with short tails and broad wings that enable them to soar in the slightest air currents. This group includes the red-tailed, red-shouldered, broad-winged and rough-legged hawks. The falcons are very streamlined birds, with thin, tapered wings. This group includes the kestrel, the merlin, the gyrfalcon and the peregrine falcon.

Reports of two sightings of peregrine falcons within the last week certainly piqued my interest. A woman in Bucksport reported she had seen one capture a mourning dove in midair. Someone else saw what she felt reasonably sure was a peregrine above the Penobscot River in Veazie. I had not known that these aerial dynamos could be found in Maine during the winter, but through investigation, I found out some interesting information.

Although local raptor expert Jerry Smith said peregrines have been seen in Portland every month of the year, he added it would be exceptionally rare to see one in this part of Maine during the winter.

However, it does happen every now and again. He listed three scenarios to explain the sightings.

One possibility is that the bird or birds sighted could be Arctic nesters that hadn’t migrated far enough south.

Another is that the bird could be a very early spring migrant, proving that the early bird does get the worm – or the mourning dove.

The third possibility, and one that could be tied to the first two, is that the bird is an immature that just hasn’t yet learned the ropes, and has strayed away from the species’ typical migration pattern, Smith said.

In addition, the Web site on the peregrines of Acadia National Park says that some of the birds will overwinter on Mount Desert Island if the season is mild and there is good prey availability.

Peregrine identification is made somewhat easier by the obvious dark sideburns and hooded appearance on the head. The tail is long and broad, the belly is barred, and the bird exhibits a white “bib” on the upper part of its chest. Its back is a stunning bluish-gray.

Having said this, it is a rare sighting that will enable you to notice all of details of a bird’s plumage, especially if a bird is flying overhead. Your best bet is to try to notice the overall shape of the bird. Is it close to eagle-sized? Or maybe crow-sized? Are its wings short and rounded, long and broad, or thin and tapered? In the air, does it soar with an occasional flap of its wings, intersperse several flaps with short glides, or flap continuously?

Identifying birds can be a trying experience. Try to be patient. Remember that in the process you are sharpening your powers of observation and memory. Notice anything you can about the bird, then put what you remember down on paper. If you can, sketch it.

Also, go birding with an experienced birder, or group of birders, whenever possible. This will speed your learning process along and it is a great opportunity to meet interesting people.

Chris Corio is a volunteer for the Fields Pond Nature Center. She can be reached at fieldspond@juno.com