Mature birds of prey are at the top of their food chain and have few natural predators. Their main enemies are pollution and loss of habitat. The Red-tail belongs to a group of hawks called buteos, whose members have broad wings and short tails. They are fairly easy to see because they spend much of their time soaring and perching in open areas. The major identifying factor is its red tail.
Hawks start their day by stretching, casting pellets, defecating, and preening their feathers.
Soon they leave the roost or nest site and begin to hunt. Most hawks eat just about any animal, such as small mammals, birds, and snakes. The buteos tend to swoop down upon their prey which they kill with their talons. At the end of the day the red-tail returns to its roost, usually a favorite tree, cliff or other elevated perch. A pair of breeding hawks builds a large stick nest on a rock ledge or a sturdy tree branch.