The Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk
Description
The Red-tailed Hawk is a large bird measuring 18 to 25 inches in length and has a wingspan of 37 to 52 inches. Its back, head and throat are reddish-brown, and its chest and belly are white with brown streaks. Both the adult and immature birds have a prominent brown belly band that can be seen from a distance.When perched, the coloration on the wings blends with the back, but when in flight, the pale underside is exposed. The wings have a dark bar at the leading edge and dark tips. Its broad tail is reddish-brown or rust colored on the top and pink below. The legs and feet are yellow.
The Red-tailed Hawk's coloration is variable depending on the subspecies, age, and habitat. The shape and color of the tail and the belly band are the best identification markers to look for in an adult.
Range and Habitat
The Red-tailed Hawk tolerates a wide range of habitats. It can be found in deserts, grasslands, deciduous and coniferous forests as well as tropical rainforests. Its preferred habitat is mixed forests and fields with cliffs or trees that can be used as perches. The Red-tailed Hawk can be found throughout North America except the arctic region. Red-tailed Hawk
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Red-Tailed Hawk
Red-Tailed Hawk
Red Tailed Hawk
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Mating and Nesting Habits
The Red-tailed Hawk reaches sexual maturity at three years of age. Once he finds a mate, he will stay with her year after year only taking a new mate when the first one dies. The courtship ritual consists of aerial maneuvers with both flying in circles and shrilling loudly. The male will break off and shoot upward only to dive back down again. After climbing and diving several times, the male approaches the female from behind, grabs her talons, and the fight begins.The pair uses and defends the same nesting area year after year. They build the nest together usually placing it least 12 feet off the ground. It's not uncommon for the Red-tailed Hawk to build its nest on a cliff ledge 35 or more feet in the air.
The nest is huge, sometimes 35 inches in diameter and can be up to 3 feet tall. It is built of twigs and lined with pine needles and other soft plant matter. The nest is kept clean with fresh plant matter throughout the breeding season.
The Red-tailed Hawk competes with several different birds, including the Great Horned Owl for nesting sites. It is not uncommon for one species to destroy the eggs and kill the young in a hostile takeover.
The female starts laying her eggs in April, producing one every other day. The eggs are a bluish-white and the clutch is composed of 1 to 5 eggs. Both the male and the female Red-tailed Hawk incubate the eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the female tends the hatchlings and the male hunts. He provides food for the chicks as well as his mate. After 42 to 46 days, the chicks begin leaving the nest for short flights. For the following 10 weeks they continue to depend on their parents while they learn to fly and to hunt.
Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 07/10/2009)
A nice handy guide to hawks and owls, especially for beginners and less experienced birders... Robert E. Hoopes, Wildlife Activist 06/2004
An excellent identification guide... the photos are well chosen... the text is clear and concise. Jim Williams, Minneapolis Star Tribune 08/18/2004
Predator and Prey
Feeding Habits
The Red-tailed Hawk is carnivorous. Its diet is mainly composed of small mammals such as rabbits and rodents. It will also prey on snakes, lizards, birds, and fish. It is an opportunistic feeder and will feed on whatever is available. It usually hunts from an elevated perch. Once its spotted prey, it swoops down and seizes it. It will even snatch a bird right out of the air. Red-tailed Hawk
Flight
The Red-tailed Hawk soars rather than continuously flapping its wings. The strokes are deep and slow. During regular flight they average 20 to 40 mph, but when diving after prey it can reach speeds of close to 120 mph. 
Interesting Trivia
1. The Red-tailed Hawk displays sexual dimorphism. The female is 25% larger than the male.2. The Red-tailed Hawk is a popular bird in falconry.
3. The feathers of the Red-tailed Hawk are considered sacred by some Native American tribes.
4. Their eyes are keen. The Red-tailed Hawk can spot a mouse a mile away.
5. The Red-tailed Hawk can live up to 20 years in the wild.
6. The Red-tailed Hawk's harsh kk-eee-er is often described as a scream. Sound Byte: Red-tailed Hawk, National Park Service
7. It is protected in the United States, Mexico, and Canada by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
Selecting a Pair of Binoculars
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Selecting a Pair of Bird Watching Binoculars
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When I look out my window and watch the birds flutter around the birdfeeder, I really don't need a pair of binoculars or a scope to enjoy the sight. I frequently stop by the window and watch the birds for a minute or two between household tasks. (Occ...
The Raptors Almanac
The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Amazon.com Review
Few people, writes Scott Weidensaul, are apathetic toward raptors. Once you've seen a hawk or a falcon or an eagle in action, you're likely to take an interest in how these great birds of prey make their homes in the world. The Weidensaul's encyclopedic guidebook to the world's principal raptor species, well illustrated with photographs, maps, and charts and full of detailed information, is an ideal companion.
Some of My Favorite Birds of Prey
Seen any interesting birds lately?
The_Party_Animal wrote...
what a beautiful bird - they are HUGE. 5 winged stars for u.
Posted May 31, 2009
darlkay52 wrote...
We enjoy lots of Red Tailed Hawks here in Kansas. One nests just down the road in a tall cottonwood tree every year. I can see her sitting in her nest most times when I drive by. Good informational lens!
Posted April 17, 2009
sandys5324 wrote...
I see eagles and hawks (not sure which ones) every week. They are beautiful to behold. This lens was a joy to read and see.
Hey mukunda22 I had a rooster that protected my chickens from dogs, hawks, eagles and even killed a falcon in the chicken coop once!! Roosters can be very good for your brood.
Posted February 09, 2009
sittonbull wrote...
At my daughter's home on Lake Wylie, SC, they have a hawk which they see regularly in the trees at the cove where they live. Haven't ID'd it yet, although I suspect it is a RTH, but I sending my g'son Turner 11 and g'daughter Ella 9 this site which is very educational. Will also send the Osprey lens as there is an Island close by where they nest! Thanks for all your wonderfully informative lenses on birds. 5 bright stars and favored.
Posted February 06, 2009
About the Author
Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen, aka Lizzy Jean, has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,690 lenses, favorited 454, and has created 169 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses
Why Birds Do That
Why Birds Do That: 40 Distinctive Bird Behaviors Explained & Photographed
Amazon Price: $12.44 (as of 07/10/2009)
Birds are fascinating. Their behavior is complex, often comical. Some sing while others do not. Why Birds Do That explains forty distinctive bird behaviors and is enhanced with numerous photographs. It is a must have book for both the backyard bird watcher as well as the avid birder.
Resources used to construct this page.
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Carolina Raptor Center
Western North Carolina Nature Center
Red-tailed Hawk- Buteo jamaicensis
The Peregrine Fund, The Red-tailed Hawk
by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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