Call is similar to that of the sharp-shinned. Upper plumage is dark brown, and the light undersides have a belly band of dark streaking. Red-tails inhabit deciduous woods. Primarily soaring birds, they prey on mice, birds, rabbits, red and gray squirrels, chipmunks. Red-tails breed throughout the East.
Incubation is by the female, for one month.
They hunt from an exposed perch offering a wide field of view or by circling high overhead, and prey on rodents, birds, frogs and snakes. Voice is a piercing whistled kee-yer, which blue jays often mimic. This small buteo is easily recognized by its heavily banded tail, with two dark and two light bands. The broad-winged is a hawk of the forests, preying on snakes, amphibians, insects and small mammals. It is our most common hawk, fairly unwary and approachable.