What is a red tailed hawks diet?

Red-tailed hawks (_Buteo jamaicensis_) are opportunistic predators, meaning they will eat a wide variety of prey depending on what is available. Their diet includes small mammals, such as mice, voles, squirrels, and rabbits; birds, such as songbirds, doves, and waterfowl; reptiles, such as snakes and lizards; amphibians, such as frogs and toads; and invertebrates, such as insects, spiders, and crayfish. They will also occasionally eat carrion, or the remains of dead animals.

Red-tailed hawks typically hunt by perching on a high vantage point and scanning the ground for prey. When they spot something they want to eat, they will swoop down and grab it with their talons. They may also hunt by soaring over open areas and looking for prey from the air.

Red-tailed hawks are not typically considered to be a threat to humans, but they may attack if they feel threatened or if their nest is disturbed. They are also known to prey on domestic animals, such as chickens and cats, so it is important to keep them away from these animals if you have them as pets.