Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

The Red-tailed hawk is probably one of the most well-known hawks, due to it's trademark reddish tail and tendency to perch along the sides of roads. Red-tailed Hawks show a wide variation in plumage, especially in the western United States.  "Harlan's Hawk", once considered a separate species, is a very dark morph of the Red-tailed Hawk, with marbled earth and white tones in the tail instead of red.  Another distinguishing field mark of most birds is a "belly band" of dark speckled feathers on the bellow below the breast.  However, very light colored Red-tailed Hawk morphs may largely lack even this characteristics.

Habitat: Open country, woodlands, prairies, cropland, and plains. Found in nearly any type of habitat that provides some open ground with high perches.

Diet: Small mammals, birds, and reptiles.  Occasionally eats insects and carrion. 

Behavior: Hunts by either watching from a perch and swooping down when prey comes within range, or by soaring over open ground.  During courtship, males and females circle together, crying their distinctive cry.

Nesting: March through June

Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Red-tailed Hawk call.

Migration: Many birds do migrate south, but some are semi-permanent residents.

Similar Species: Depending on age and morph, can appear similar to Ferruginous Hawk or Rough-legged Hawk.

Status: Widespread and common, with populations stable or even increasing.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Red-tailed Hawk

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Red-tailed Hawk"

3) eNature.com - Red-tailed Hawk

Photo Information: August 4th, 2002 -- Near Lake Preston -- Terry L. Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Red-tailed Hawk photos.