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Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensisOrder: FALCONIFORMESFamily: Kites, Eagles and Hawks (Accipitridae)

Breeding Location:

Forest edge, Grassland with scattered trees



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Very common



Egg Color:

White to pale blue, sometimes with brown spots



Number of Eggs:

2 - 3



Incubation Days:

28 - 35



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Lined with inner bark strips and evergreen sprigs.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Red-tailed Hawk: Large, highly variable hawk with brown upperparts, head and throat. The underparts are pale with brown streaks. Wings are pale below with dark bar at leading edge and dark tips. The tail is red-brown with dark terminal band. Legs and feet are yellow. Soars on thermals and updrafts.

Range and Habitat

Red-tailed Hawk: Found in Alaska and Canada south to Panama. Found in open country, woodlands, prairie groves, mountains, plains, farmlands, and roadsides.

Breeding and Nesting

Red-tailed Hawk: Two to three white to pale blue eggs, sometimes spotted with brown, are laid in a nest constructed from twigs, lined with pine needles and bark, and built in a large tree. Eggs are incubated for about 30 days by both parents; male may bring female food while she is on the nest.

Foraging and Feeding

Red-tailed Hawk: Eats mostly small mammals, but also takes birds and reptiles; male Red-winged Blackbirds are often eaten because of their vulnerability when guarding nests.

Vocalization

Red-tailed Hawk: Screams a loud, harsh, slurred squeal "keee-ahrrr" or "keeer-r-r-r."

Similar Species

Red-tailed Hawk: Rough-legged Hawk has unmarked flight feathers, a white comma on the outermost underwing coverts, and lacks brown tail. Dark morph Swainson's Hawk has dark flight feathers and white undertail coverts.

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Family
Species Buteo jamaicensis
Length19 - 25 Inches
Wingspan52 Inches

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk: Large, highly variable hawk with brown upperparts, head and throat. The underparts are pale with brown streaks. Wings are pale below with dark bar at leading edge and dark tips. The tail is red-brown with dark terminal band. Legs and feet are yellow. Soars on thermals and updrafts.

● Song: "keeer-r-r"

● Foraging & Feeding: Red-tailed Hawk: Eats mostly small mammals, but also takes birds and reptiles; male Red-winged Blackbirds are often eaten because of their vulnerability when guarding nests.

● Breeding & nesting: Red-tailed Hawk: Two to three white to pale blue eggs, sometimes spotted with brown, are laid in a nest constructed from twigs, lined with pine needles and bark, and built in a large tree. Eggs are incubated for about 30 days by both parents; male may bring female food while she is on the nest.

● Similar species: Red-tailed Hawk: Rough-legged Hawk has unmarked flight feathers, a white comma on the outermost underwing coverts, and lacks brown tail. Dark morph Swainson's Hawk has dark flight feathers and white undertail coverts.

Flight Pattern

Soars on thermals., Several rapid strong wing beats followed by glide., Sometimes hangs on updrafts.
Red-tailed Hawk Body Illustration_2
● Range & Habitat: Red-tailed Hawk: Found in Alaska and Canada south to Panama. Found in open country, woodlands, prairie groves, mountains, plains, farmlands, and roadsides.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationVery common
MigrationMigratory
Weight36.8 Ounces