Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia

Abundance: Common

Habitat: Forest, Grassland, Wetland, Urban

Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)

Lifespan: Up to 21 years

A large, stocky, broad-winged hawk with so much variation in coloring that accurate identification is sometimes difficult. Most have a whitish breast with a dark band, rust-colored tail with black bars near the tip, and white markings on the face. Males are typically smaller than females. Red-tailed Hawks soar over open country, flapping their wings as little as possible, or perch upright and motionless in tall trees searching for prey. Their extraordinary eyesight enables them to locate prey from great distances.

Diet

The red-tailed hawk is carnivorous and a highly opportunistic feeder. Eighty to eighty-five percent of their diet consists of small rodents.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Kingdom: Animalia

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Phylum: Chordata

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Class: Aves

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Order: Accipitriformes

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Family: Accipitridae

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Genus: Buteo

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Species: Buteo jamaicensis

Scientific Name

Buteo jamaicensis

Breeding Season

Spring

Migration Pattern

Red-tailed hawks are considered partial migrants with individuals in the northern most distribution migrating south in Winter

Lifespan

Up to 21 years

Behavior

Does most hunting by watching from a high perch, then swooping down to capture prey in its talons. Also hunts by flying over fields, watching for prey below. Red-tailed hawk pairs remain together for years in the same territory. These birds are very territorial. Soaring is by far the most efficient method of flight for red-tailed hawks, so is used more often than not. Active flight is slow and deliberate, with deep wing beats.

Ecological Role

Red-tailed hawks play an important role in local ecosystems by helping to control the populations of small mammals, including rodents and rabbits. They also provide habitat for some small bird species, including house sparrows, that live in active red-tailed hawk nests.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Forest

Grassland

Wetland

Urban

Geographic Distribution

Red-tailed hawks are native only to the Nearctic region. They are found throughout the United States and Canada, and into Mexico and Central America. Many birds are year round occupants although the birds of the far north migrate south during the fall to escape the harsh winter.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

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