These birds of prey have some common equipment; a hooked beak which allows them to rip flesh from bones and talons used to kill and grip its prey. Hawks and other buteos ride thermals up and soar (glide) to the next location. If you notice that you usually don't see hawks or vultures until mid-morning. The air has to have time to heat up and the hawks/vultures use the rising air to soar with the updrafts. They are able to migrate thousands of miles this way. The bald eagles appear in the winter with the arrival of the snow geese. The eagles dine on the injured and wounded geese which makes an easy kill.