Many of these will become permanent residents. They are considered carnivores and able to prey upon a wide variety of animals, both in the open country and in the woodlands. They have two ways to hunt for their meals. Soaring and watching the ground below is one way, but their favorite is perching on a tree limb, fence post or other high object. They have been known to eat animals killed on the road.
Hawks consume the whole animal, bones in all.
The bones give them the calcium they need . Hawks in captivity develop rickets because they are fed mostly meat and do not receive the bones of the animals they are eating. Pairs will maintain a territory throughout the year and defend this territory against their enemies. The red-tailed hawk is an excellent example of a bird that can adapt to many different habitats. Their favorite habitat is generally the forest edges, open woodlands, and a large area with many scattered tall trees on which to nest.