Red-Tailed Hawk Information

Red-tailed hawks, scientific name Buteo jamaicensis, are also referred to as buzzard hawks, hen hawks or mouse hawks. Hawks are birds of prey, or raptors, that have excellent eyesight and can not only see color but the ultraviolet range of the visual spectrum. They also have sharp talons and beaks, perfect for both capturing their prey and defending their catch from other hawks who would steal it. Red-tailed hawks have a very distinct cry, which advertisers often use in place of a bald eagle's.

  1. Habitat

    • Red-tailed hawks are found in habitats ranging from mountain forests to open fields. They live all across North and Central America, protecting territories up to 9.6 square miles in size. When the weather turns cold, red-tailed hawks travel in order to find more prey and warmer temperatures, returning to their home range in warmer weather.

    Physical Characteristics

    • The red-tailed hawk is a large bird, with a stocky build and long, broad wings and tails. Plumage coloring varies depending upon the region, but most red-tailed hawks have brown backs and a dark head. Their breast is a lighter color, with a darker band running along the belly, and the signature red-tail develops as the hawk reaches adulthood.

    Diet

    • Red-tailed hawks are aerial hunters, swooping down on their prey from the air or high perches. Their diet is comprised mostly of small mammals, such as mice and ground squirrels, but these opportunists are also known to snatch food away from other animals. The hawks also eat smaller birds, jackrabbits and reptiles.

    Courtship and Reproduction

    • Courtship for red-tailed hawks involves daring aerial acrobatics. Barrel rolls, mock combat dives and narrow misses are enacted as the hawks constantly call and screech to each other. When courtship is done, the pair fly to a tree to mate. They build a nest, with several alternative nests around their territory, and lay two or three brown, spotted eggs, which both parents will protect.

    Life Cycle

    • The eggs of a red-tailed hawk usually hatch within 30 to 35 days of laying. Chicks are completely dependent on the parents but grow quickly and are usually ready to venture out on their own in as little as 45 days. When they do, they become proficient flyers by playing games in the air and catching food their parent drop for them. As time passes, the young mature and eventually begin hunting for themselves.