It lives in high mountain country, deep forests, open pastures, in deserts where there are some trees, in mountain forests of the Southwest and in urban areas. There have been red-tails in Riverside Park for years. However the one whose picture you see here has been spending time daily near the Boat Basin since July, 1995. Many of us at the marina feel that observing this large and powerful bird is akin to a spiritual or religious experience. Immatures are similar to adults but upperparts of chest more mottled with white and tail tip is not red but banded with brown.
Talons are large and sharp.
Weight for males 2 lbs. Amazing eyesight allows them to see small mice while soaring 100 feet above the ground. Although one third the size of a an adult human male, their eyes are as large as a man's - sometimes larger. The greatest density of nerve receptors seen in any eye has been recorded for a hawk. May hunt while soaring.