Red Tail Hawk

Introduction

The Red tail Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a large, widespread raptor found throughout North America. It measures 45-65 cm in length with a 110-145 cm wingspan. Identifiable by its reddish tail, white V on the back, and hoarse scream, it adapts to various habitats from deserts to urban areas. This opportunistic carnivore primarily hunts small mammals from high perches

Appearance and Behavior

Red-tailed Hawks are large, blocky raptors with broad wings and a distinctive appearance. Adults typically have:

• A rufous brick-red tail with a black subterminal band
• Dark brown coloration along the lower edge of the wings
• A white V on their back formed by shoulder feathers
• Yellow cere, legs, and feet
• Dark, hooked bill
• Reddish-brown irises (in mature adults)
• Juveniles differ with brown barred tails and yellowish irises.

Diet and Feeding Habits

Red-tailed Hawks are opportunistic carnivores with a highly varied diet. They primarily feed on:

Prey Types

• Small to medium-sized mammals (65.3% of diet), including voles, mice, rats, rabbits, hares, and ground squirrels
• Birds (20.9% of diet), up to the size of pheasants and blackbirds
• Reptiles (10.8% of diet), especially snakes
• Invertebrates (2.8% of diet)
• Occasionally amphibians, fish, and bats

The average prey size is about 187 g, but can range from less than an ounce to over 5 pounds.

Hunting Techniques

Red-tailed Hawks employ various hunting methods:

1. Perch hunting: Sitting on high vantage points to scan for prey
2. High soaring: Covering large areas while conserving energy
3. Low soaring: Flying close to the ground for surprise attacks
4. Hover and pounce: Used in open areas

They often take prey back to a feeding perch, where they behead it before consumption. Small mammals may be swallowed whole, while birds are typically plucked.Red-tailed Hawks are also known to scavenge carrion and occasionally steal prey from smaller raptors, especially during winter.

Reproduction and Nesting

Red-tailed Hawks typically begin breeding at three years old, forming monogamous pairs that often mate for life. Their reproductive cycle includes:

Courtship and Mating

• Males perform aerial displays, including high flights and steep dives
• Pairs soar together in circles for up to 10 minutes
• Mating occurs after these flights, lasting 5-10 seconds

Nesting

• Season: Peak from March to June, varying by location
• Nest location: 35-90 feet high in tall trees, cliffs, or man-made structures
• Nest construction: Both sexes build a bulky platform of sticks, lined with bark and greenery
• Nest reuse: Often refurbish and reuse previous nests

Egg Laying and Incubation

• Clutch size: 2-3 eggs typically, laid at 48-hour intervals
• Egg appearance: Bluish-white with brown markings
• Incubation period: 28-35 days, shared by both parents but primarily female
• Hatching: Asynchronous, over several days

Nestling Care

• Female broods chicks for 30-35 days
• Male provides most food initially
• Both parents feed chicks, but only female directly feeds them
• Fledging occurs at 42-46 days after hatching
• Parents continue feeding fledglings for 4-7 weeks post-fledging

Red-tailed Hawks usually produce one brood per season, but may attempt a second if the first fails parents are involved in incubation and care of the chicks.

Habitat and Distribution

Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) have an extremely wide distribution across North and Central America, occupying diverse habitats. Their range extends from Alaska and northern Canada to Panama and the West Indies1.

Habitat

These adaptable raptors thrive in various environments, including:

• Deserts and grasslands
• Coniferous and deciduous forests
• Agricultural fields and pastures
• Urban and suburban areas
• Coastal and wetland habitats
• Mountains and foothills

They prefer areas with a mix of open terrain for hunting and tall trees or structures for nesting and perching.

Distribution

Red-tailed Hawks are found:

• Throughout most of North America, from Alaska to Florida
• In Central America, from Mexico to Panama
• In the Caribbean, including Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico

Their breeding range is extensive, covering:

• Interior Alaska and northern Canada
• Most of the contiguous United States
• Parts of Mexico and Central America

During winter, many northern populations migrate south, but the species remains in North America year-round.In British Columbia, they are widespread across southern, central, and northeastern regions, with denser populations in the Georgia Depression, dry interior, southeastern valleys, and Peace River lowlands.

Conservation Status

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and has a conservation status of Secure according to NatureServe.

This species has shown a healthy long-term increase in population across North America since the 1960’s.

Population Trends

• The Canadian population has increased since 1970, as indicated by Breeding Bird Survey and Christmas Bird Count data.
• The global population is estimated at 2,600,000 to 3,100,000 mature individuals and is considered to be increasing.
• In British Columbia, the species has shown a healthy long-term increase.

Factors Contributing to Success

1. Adaptation to human landscapes, including urban and suburban environments.
2. Benefit from forest thinning and construction of highways, creating prime hunting areas.
3. Protection from human persecution, which was common in the mid-20th century.
4. Land clearing that created a mix of open grassland for hunting and nearby woodlands for nesting.

Regional Variations

• In British Columbia, the species is ranked S5 (secure) and is a widespread breeder and nonbreeder.
• Wintering populations may be increasing in the Fraser Lowlands of British Columbia.

Despite overall positive trends, potential threats include lead poisoning from ingesting shot when feeding on carrion, pesticide use in agricultural regions, and collisions with high-voltage transmission lines.

Unique Characteristics

Red-tailed Hawks possess several unique characteristics that set them apart from other raptors:

Physical Features

• Distinctive brick-red tail in adults, visible during flight
• Dark markings on the leading edge of their wings
• White U or V-shaped spots on the feathers
• Large, muscular body with broad wings and a chunky appearance
• Wingspan averaging over four feet, with females typically larger than males

Sensory Abilities

• Exceptional eyesight, eight times more powerful than human vision5
• Ability to spot a mouse from 100 feet in the air

Vocalization

• Hoarse, rasping scream lasting 2-3 seconds, often used in movies for Bald Eagle sounds

Hunting and Flight

• Versatile hunting methods, including perch hunting, soaring, and even walking on the ground
• Ability to hover in windy conditions, though rarely employed
• Capable of diving speeds exceeding 190 km/h (120 mph)

Adaptability

• Highly adaptable to various habitats, including urban and suburban environments1
• Benefit from human-altered landscapes like highways and forest thinning1

These unique traits contribute to the Red-tailed Hawk’s success as a widespread and recognizable raptor species across North America.