Red-tailed Hawk

A Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a large and widespread bird of prey found throughout North America. It's one of the most common hawks on the continent, often seen soaring high or perched on telephone poles along highways.

The Red-tailed Hawk is a large, stocky raptor with broad wings and a short, wide tail. As its name suggests, the adult bird's tail is a rusty or cinnamon-red color, which is a key identifying feature, especially when the bird is in flight. Its body is typically dark brown on the back and a lighter, whitish color on the underside, often with a distinctive band of brown streaks across the belly. Females are generally larger than males but have identical plumage.

Red-tailed Hawks are highly adaptable and thrive in a variety of habitats, including open grasslands, deserts, woodlands, and even urban and suburban areas. They prefer areas with open land for hunting and elevated perches like trees or utility poles. They are opportunistic predators with excellent eyesight and a diverse diet that primarily consists of small mammals like rodents and rabbits. They also eat snakes, lizards, and other birds.

These hawks are solitary hunters. They use a "sit-and-wait" strategy, perching high on a vantage point to scan the ground for movement. When they spot prey, they descend with a powerful swoop, using their sharp talons to seize the animal. The iconic, raspy screech often used in movies to represent eagles is actually the call of a Red-tailed Hawk.