Red-Tailed Hawk

## Description

The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis ) is a bird of prey that breeds throughout most of North America, from the interior of Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies. It is one of the most common members within the genus of Buteo in North America or worldwide. The red-tailed hawk is one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk", though it rarely preys on standard-sized chickens. The bird is sometimes also referred to as the red-tail for short, when the meaning is clear in context. Red-tailed hawks can acclimate to all the biomes within their range, occurring on the edges of non-ideal habitats such as dense forests and sandy deserts. The red-tailed hawk occupies a wide range of habitats and altitudes, including deserts, grasslands (from small meadows to the treed fringes of more extensive prairies), coniferous and deciduous forests, agricultural fields, and urban areas. Its latitudinal limits fall around the tree line in the subarctic and it is absent from the high Arctic. Generally it favors varied habitats with open woodland, woodland edge and open terrain. It is legally protected in Canada, Mexico, and the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The 14 recognized subspecies vary in appearance and range, varying most often in color, and in the west of North America, red-tails are particularly often strongly polymorphic, with individuals ranging from almost white to nearly all black. The subspecies Harlan's hawk (B. j. harlani ) is sometimes considered a separate species (B. harlani ). The red-tailed hawk is one of the largest members of the genus Buteo, typically weighing from 690 to 1,600 g (1.5 to 3.5 lb) and measuring 45–65 cm (18–26 in) in length, with a wingspan from 110–141 cm (3 ft 7 in – 4 ft 8 in). This species displays sexual dimorphism in size, with females averaging about 25% heavier than males.

The diet of red-tailed hawks is highly variable and reflects their status as opportunistic generalists, but in North America, they are most often predators of small mammals such as rodents of an immense diversity of families and species. Prey that is terrestrial and at least partially diurnal is preferred, so types such as ground squirrels are preferred where they naturally occur. Over much of the range, smallish rodents such as voles alternated with larger rabbits and hares often collectively form the bulk of the diet. Large numbers of birds and reptiles can occur in the diet in several areas, and can even be the primary foods. Meanwhile, amphibians, fish and invertebrates can seem rare in the hawk’s regular diet, but they are not infrequently taken by immature hawks. Red-tailed hawks may survive on islands absent of native mammals on diets variously including invertebrates such as crabs, as well as lizards or birds. Like many *Buteo* species, they hunt from a perch most often, but can vary their hunting techniques where prey and habitat demand it. Because they are so common and easily trained as capable hunters, in the United States they are the most commonly captured hawks for falconry. Falconers are permitted to take only passage hawks (which have left the nest, are on their own, but are less than a year old) so as to not affect the breeding population. Adults, which may be breeding or rearing chicks, may not be taken for falconry purposes, and doing so is illegal. Passage red-tailed hawks are also preferred by falconers because these younger birds have not yet developed the adult behaviors that would make them more difficult to train.

## Appearance

Red-tailed hawks, especially those in the West, have a very variable plumage, including reddish brown and dark phases. Their wings are long and broad and their tails short and wide. Most have light colored breasts with dark streaks making a mottled "belly-band". Most of them have dark brown heads. Their underwings are mottled light and dark. They all have a dark band on the outside edge of the inner underwings, called the "patagial" markings. On most adults the upper side of their tail is deep rufous. Lighter birds often feature a faint white "V" as part of their back-feathers, as seen when they are perching. Juveniles don't have a red tail.

## Distribution

Red-tailed hawk is one of the most common hawk in North America. They are found all over the continent, as well as in Central America, and in the Caribbean. Many birds remain in their areas all year, but birds in the far north migrate during autumn to avoid the harsh winter. These hawks occupy a vast range of habitats within a wide range of altitudes, including scrub desert, montane grasslands, plains, agricultural fields, pastures, patchy deciduous and coniferous woodlands, coastal regions, urban parks and tropical rainforests.

## Behavior

Red-tailed hawks are diurnal. They will soar above their territory, usually on clear days, keeping a lookout for intruders. They are mostly solitary but are social during breeding season and migration. These hawks prefer to form their nests in wooded fence rows at the edge of forests, or in large trees within open areas. Pairs will stay together for years within the same territory. They are very territorial, defending territories that range from 0.85 to 3.9 square kilometers, based on the availability of food, perches, and sites for nests. The female is more aggressive than the male around the nest, while the male is more aggressive with regard to the territory boundaries.

## Diet

Red-tailed hawks are carnivores, their diet varying with the location and the season. They eat small mammals including voles, rats, ground squirrels and rabbits, birds, and reptiles, especially snakes, bats, frogs, toads, and insects. They may feed on carrion.

## Reproduction

Red-tailed hawks usually mate at 3 years old. They are monogamous, and stay with the same partner for many years. They soar together in circles during courtship, their flights lasting 10 minutes and more. Mating usually occurs following these flights. Breeding and nest building start in early spring, usually March, continuing through May. Usually 1-5 eggs are laid. Incubation lasts 28-32 days, carried out almost exclusively by the female. The male supplies most of the food for the mother and the chicks during the nestling stage. The chicks can leave the nest in 42 to 46 days. 10 weeks is the fledgling period, during which chicks learn to hunt and fly.

## Population

### Population threats

While fairly numerous in North America, these hawks, like all wildlife, are threatened by hunters, loss of habitat, pollution, and cars. Red-tailed hawks control populations of rodents and grasshoppers and have protection under the U.S. Migratory Bird Act.

### Population number

According to AllAboutBirds, the estimated global breeding population is 2.3 million. 75% spend part of each year in the U.S., 21% in Mexico and 24% in Canada. The ICUN classifies the Red-tailed hawk as "Least Concern", with an increasing population trend.

### Ecological niche

Red-tailed hawks have an important part to play in local ecosystems by controlling populations of small mammals, such as rodents and rabbits. They benefit farmers by eating moles, mice and other rodents that threaten crops. They also provide habitat for several small bird species, such as house sparrows that live alongside hawks in their nests.

## Fun Facts for Kids

The hawk eggshells are colored green on the inside.

The Red-tailed hawk's cry is used in TV commercials depicting the bald eagle, as advertisers felt that the red-tailed hawk's voice sounded more regal and eagle-like than that of the actual bird.

Hawks can't move their eyes and so to look around they must move their heads.

Hawks will fight over food in the air.

Red-tailed hawks don't need to eat every day. Excess food is stored in their crop and released as needed.