Red-tailed Hawk

Physical Characteristics

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the most widespread and recognizable raptors in North America, known for its broad wings, soaring flight, and iconic red tail.

• Plumage: Extremely variable, with regional color morphs ranging from pale to dark brown. Most adults have a dark brown back, lighter underparts with streaking, and a distinctive brick-red tail. Juveniles lack the red tail, showing a brown, banded tail instead.

• Face: Large head with a hooked yellowish-black bill and a pale throat, sometimes streaked. Eyes are brown in adults and pale yellow in juveniles.

• Body: Stout and powerful, with a broad chest and muscular build designed for soaring and tackling medium-sized prey.

• Wings: Broad and rounded, with a wingspan built for efficient soaring. The underwings often display a pale panel with a dark bar along the leading edge.

• Tail: The hallmark feature is the reddish-brown tail in adults, broad and rounded with a single dark subterminal band.

• Feet: Yellow, with strong talons for grasping and dispatching prey.

Size:

• Length: About 18 to 26 in (45 to 65 cm).

• Wingspan: Between 43 to 56 in (110 to 145 cm).

• Weight: Ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 lbs (700 g to 1.6 kg), with females larger than males.

The Red-tailed Hawk’s broad wings, stocky build, and unmistakable red tail make it one of the most easily identified and iconic birds of prey in North America.

Reproduction

The Red-tailed Hawk’s breeding cycle is closely tied to its broad range of habitats, from forests and deserts to grasslands and urban areas.

1. Mating and Courtship:

   • Red-tailed Hawks are monogamous and often mate for life, returning to the same territory annually.

   • Courtship includes spectacular aerial displays—circling, dives, talon-grappling, and sky dances—often accompanied by loud, piercing calls.

2. Nesting:

   • Nests are built high in tall trees, cliffs, or even on man-made structures like towers.

   • Large stick platforms are lined with bark, evergreen sprigs, and softer vegetation.

   • Pairs often reuse and expand their nests each year, some reaching several feet across.

3. Egg Laying and Incubation:

   • The female lays 1 to 3 eggs, dull white and often blotched with brown.

   • Incubation lasts about 28 to 35 days, performed mostly by the female while the male provides food.

4. Chick Development:

   • Chicks hatch covered in white down and are brooded by the female in the early days.

   • Both parents provide food, with the female feeding small pieces until chicks are old enough to tear prey themselves.

5. Fledging and Independence:

   • Young fledge at around 42 to 46 days of age, practicing flight skills near the nest.

   • They remain dependent on the parents for food for 4 to 10 additional weeks before dispersing.

The Red-tailed Hawk’s strong pair bonds, large stick nests, and lengthy parental care help ensure the success of its young, contributing to the species’ wide distribution and stability.

Lifespan

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the most adaptable and successful raptors in North America, with a moderate to long lifespan compared to other hawks.

• Lifespan in the Wild:
  Red-tailed Hawks typically live 10 to 15 years in the wild, though some may survive beyond 20 years. High juvenile mortality occurs, as many young hawks do not survive their first year due to inexperience in hunting or predation.

• Lifespan in Captivity:
  In falconry or rehabilitation care, Red-tailed Hawks can live up to 25 to 30 years, thanks to consistent food, medical care, and protection from natural hazards.

Threats to the Red-tailed Hawk:

• Predation: Eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to raccoons, crows, and Great Horned Owls. Adults face few natural predators.

• Human Hazards: Vehicle collisions, electrocution from power lines, and poisoning from rodenticides are major threats.

• Habitat Changes: While adaptable, loss of large trees and suitable hunting grounds can impact local populations.

• Juvenile Risk: Many young hawks die during their first year, primarily from starvation or accidents while learning to hunt.

The Red-tailed Hawk’s adaptability to varied environments, from wilderness to city skylines, has allowed it to remain one of the most widespread and resilient raptors in North America.

Eating Habits

The Red-tailed Hawk is an opportunistic predator with a broad diet, which contributes to its adaptability across diverse habitats.

• Diet:
  Their primary prey includes small to medium-sized mammals, especially rodents (mice, voles, squirrels, and rabbits). They also take birds, snakes, lizards, and occasionally large insects.

• Foraging Strategy:
  Red-tailed Hawks are perch-and-wait hunters, often seen scanning from trees, poles, or fence posts before swooping down to seize prey.
  They also soar on thermal currents, circling high while searching for movement below.

• Hunting Behavior:
  Using keen eyesight, they can spot prey from great distances. With a swift dive, they capture animals using strong talons, often killing quickly with their powerful grip.
  They are capable of taking prey as large as jackrabbits but usually target smaller, more abundant mammals.

• Feeding the Young:
  Parents deliver prey whole to the nest. The female tears it into pieces for chicks until they are old enough to tear food themselves.

• Seasonal Variation:
  Diet varies by region and season—rodents dominate in most areas, but in deserts they rely more on reptiles, while in farmland they may take ground-feeding birds.

The Red-tailed Hawk’s versatile hunting strategies and broad diet are key reasons for its success as the most widespread hawk in North America.

Uniqueness

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the most iconic and recognizable raptors in North America, with several traits that distinguish it:

• Iconic Red Tail: Adults possess a broad, brick-red tail that glows in sunlight, a key field mark that sets them apart from other hawks.

• Most Widespread Hawk: Found across nearly all of North America, from forests and deserts to cities, they are the most common and adaptable buteo.

• Famous Call: Their piercing scream is often used in movies and television—even for eagles—making it the most famous raptor call.

• Variable Plumage: With multiple color morphs (light, dark, and rufous), Red-tailed Hawks show some of the greatest plumage diversity among North American raptors.

• Soaring Specialists: With broad wings and strong flight, they are often seen circling high on thermals, embodying the image of a classic hawk.

• Human Tolerance: Unlike many raptors, Red-tailed Hawks thrive near human development, nesting on buildings, bridges, and utility poles.

The Red-tailed Hawk’s adaptability, iconic call, and striking red tail have made it not only one of the most successful raptors but also a cultural symbol of wild North America.