To keep their eyes clean, birds have a third eyelid called a nictitating membrane. Then, they snatch their prey-usually a rodent or other small mammal, but sometimes a snake or another bird-with talons up to 1.33 inches long.ĥ.) Red-tailed Hawks have sharp eyesight that’s eight times better than a human’s. In flight, they can spy a mouse on the ground from 100 feet in the air. They scan the ground by soaring in wide circles or by perching on a tree or telephone pole.

Juvenile Red-tails, on the other hand, emit a series of short shrieks.Ĥ.) As their threatening call suggests, Red-tailed Hawks are formidable hunters. Though the eagle looks intimidating, it makes a paltry squeal compared to the adult hawk’s piercing cry. Many movies play a Red-tailed Hawk sound when a Bald Eagle appears on screen. Females are typically much larger than males, which is common among raptors.ģ.) Adult Red-tailed Hawks make a majestic call:a hoarse screech that lasts for two to three seconds. If this sounds familiar, it’s probably because Hollywood loves it. Plus, with 14 subspecies and many color morphs, adult Red-tailed Hawks have a variety of plumages.Ģ.) Red-tails are among the largest Buteo hawks in North America, second only to the Ferruginous Hawk. They’re built to soar, with wingspans that average a little over four feet. Juveniles don’ t get the red feathers until the start of their second year, instead sporting brown barred tails. Their other namesake is their characteristic reddish-brown tail feathers, a trait shared by many of these hawks-but not all. You’ve probably seen one from a distance, but here is a closer look at this magnificent bird.ġ.) Though they were known among North America’s Indigenous peoples, the first Red-tailed Hawks studied by Western scientists were identified in Jamaica in 1781 and named accordingly: Buteo jamaicensis. They often hunt along highways, circling overhead or hovering in place as they scan the ground for prey. Among the large, soaring hawks known as buteos, Red-tails are the most widespread in North America. The Red-tailed Hawk is a great gateway species into birding or hawk watching. To learn more about Red-tailed Hawks visit. But we enjoyed watching it progress as a hunter and integral part of our local ecosystems. “Our” young hawk was perfecting its hunting skills and hopefully catching plenty to eat.Įventually this hawk left the area and we didn't get to see it mature and gain its signature red tail.

Their diet consists mainly of small mammals: mice, voles, rabbits, and chipmunks. Females are generally larger than males, and despite being a large bird of prey Red-tailed hawks only weigh about 3 pounds. They are about two feet tall with a wingspan of 4 ½ to 5 feet. Their backs are brown and they show a belly band of dark streaking. Other than the tail, adults and juvenile Red-tails are virtually alike. Eventually, the feathers will be replaced by the gorgeous and classic red tail. In the first year of our young hawk’s life, it will sport a brown tail. This is the case of the Red-Tailed Hawk who was “hanging around” the nature center. They often will perch and hunt in a conspicuous place watching and waiting for prey. Their wings allow for the efficient use of warm thermals and updrafts. Buteos soar over a large part of their hunting territory. Buteos are defined as a robust bodied, short tailed hawk with long wings for hunting over open habitat. The Nature Center’s hawk’s scientific name is Buteo jamaicensis. It includes many of the daytime, or diurnal, birds of prey including eagles, kites, osprey, hawks, and harriers.

They belong to the family Accipitridae, which is one of the largest bird groups. They are found throughout North America, including Canada, Alaska and Mexico. Red-tailed hawks are our most common and wide spread hawk. For awhile the hawk seemed comfortable living around here and we really enjoy seeing it! A group of scouts even saw the hawk on a picnic table in the upper grove. For several days in Oct of 2016, a young Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, visited the Knoch Knolls Nature Center, sitting on various signs around the nature center and the mill sculpture and even perching on the deck.

Juvenile red tailed hawk