Red-Tailed Hawks
Author: Patsy Jones

Description:
The Red-tailed Hawk is a large, thick-set hawk with broad wings and wide, rounded tails. These birds typically hunt by soaring in wide circles high in the sky on rising air currents. They range in size from 19-25” (48-63 cm) with a wingspan of 46-58 inches. As they soar in the air, the rufous coloring on the topside of the tail is evident in the adults. From below, the tail is not as dark in color but still appears slightly reddish in color. When looking at the bird from overhead, there is a conspicuous black or dark-colored patagial bar on the fore edge of the wing. They typically have a pale belly with a broad band of dark streaking on the breast. The bill is large and curved, with a yellow cere at the top of the beak. There is much variation, however, in these birds, especially in the western United States . Black morphs often occur.

Male and female Red-tailed Hawks look similar, but the females are usually larger than males. Young birds are usually streaked in color below.

Geographic range:
The Red-tailed Hawk is North America 's most common hawk. They are year-round residents of almost all of North America , extending their range even further into Canada during breeding times.

Habitat:
Red-tailed Hawks can commonly be found in a wide variety of habitats including open country, woodlands, plains, mountains, and roadsides. They usually perch conspicuously and are often seen soaring or perched in open areas. They are found from low-elevation deserts to the pinon-juniper woodlands of New Mexico . In the summertime, they may even be seen above the timberline in the mountains.

Food Web:
Hawks prey on rodents, rabbits, reptiles, small birds, insects, and other small animals. They have excellent eyesight and can spot their prey from far above the ground. They dive at great speeds, killing their prey instantly. They will often carry small prey to their perch to eat it, or partially eat large prey on the ground. Although other species of hawks may prey in the same areas, competition is minimized by hunting different prey with different techniques.

Hawks are birds of prey that are typically considered top carnivores in their food webs. They are not usually prey items for other species, although young birds may be more vulnerable to other birds of prey.

Reproduction and Development:
Red-tailed Hawks are monogamous and may mate for life. They build a nest of sticks and twigs lined with inner bark strips, evergreen sprigs and green leaves Their nest is a solitary one often built high on the ledge of a cliff or other tall structures or trees. The nest is built by both parents. One to five white or bluish-white eggs flecked with brown are laid.

With the size difference between males and females, they can hunt different prey items for their young. The males catch larger quantities of more abundant prey that is easily caught. Females often catch fewer, but larger prey. Both parents feed their young.

Incubation of eggs is 28-35 days by both parents. Young stay in the nest 42-46 days. They typically produce one brood per year.

Behavior:
Soaring high above the ground in wide circles, hawks often hang or hover in the wind then drop down suddenly on their prey, killing them instantly with their strong claws and sharp beak. Like other raptors, they have keen eyesight and excellent hunting skills. Because they often perch on fenceposts or telephone poles along roadsides, they are one of the most easily observed hawks. Their song is a harsh descending keeer-r-r(slurring downward).

Conservation:
Red-tailed Hawks are the most common North American hawk and, therefore, are not considered endangered.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves, Birds
Order: Falconiforme
Family:Acciptridae
Genus: Buteo
Species: Buteo jamaicensis

References:
Alsop, Fred J. III. 2001. Birds of North America . New York : DK Publishing, 998 p.

Forshaw, Joseph; Steve Howell, Terence Lindsey, Rich Stallcup. 1994. Birding. Time Life Inc., 288 p.

Peterson, Roger T. 1990. A Field Guide to Western Birds. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 432 p.

Tweit, Susan J. 1992. The Great Southwest Nature Factbook. Seattle : Alaska Northwest Books, 223 p.