Remains of larger prey (such as armadillos, lambs, pigs, deer, sheep, and horses) have been found in nest sites. Larger prey would be dismantled, temporarily hidden, while pieces are taken to the nest. They will also take (or try at least) much larger prey carrying up to about five pounds in a load. It is not hard to imagine them taking small mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians, birds, and invertebrates. These carnivorous hawks are highly opportunistic feeders. Minimizing wing flaps help to conserve energy which may be needed to get their prey back to the nest. Not only are they able to get a great view, but they are able to jump into an easy soar or quickly swoop down on prey almost silently.
Red-tailed hawk (courtesy of ODFW) HuntingĪ high perch gives the birds an advantage when hunting. Based on the area, ‘high’ may be a shrub or fence post, tall conifer, or telephone pole. In every case, they will be looking for high nesting and perching sites.
This could include tropical rainforests, to deserts and grasslands, to woodlands. Red-tails have become habituated to almost any habitat in North and Central America. The large, year-around range for non-breeders covers the entire contiguous U.S. This raptor is one of the most broadly distributed birds in the U.S. Some, but not all, of the birds will migrate, typically going north into Canada and Alaska for breeding. Red-tail hawks are considered an American native based on fossil and current distribution studies. From below the bird is a light-buff orange. Feather coloration creates an imperfect “V” shape on its back. ColorĬoloration will vary greatly but most adults have a dark brown upper head that almost looks like a hood. Weigh 10 times what an average Red-tail might. Just for comparison, a similar-sized dog could The reddish, orange tail color is unique among North American hawks. These are medium sized raptors are the largest in their genus ( Buteu) with robust bodies thick, broad wings and relatively short, broad tails. SizeĪdult female Red-tails are slightly larger than the males both in length (26 versus 24 inches), weight (just under four pounds versus under three), with a similar size difference in the over four-foot wingspans. Go for a ride and look for them hunting atop telephone poles, fence posts, trees-anywhere they can watch for prey and swoop silently. Red-tailed hawks are one of the most common raptors found across the U.S., northern Canada, and far south into Panama.
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Red-tailed hawk (royalty free image courtesy Unsplash) Sky Dancer
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