(Buteo jamaicensis)
The Red-tail is a large, soaring hawk. Its wings are broad and its tail, fan-shaped and chestnut-red above, is not always visible. This hawk is light underneath with dark streaks across the belly. Young birds have dark gray tails, which may or may not show banding. Underparts of typical Red-tails are "zoned" (light breast, broad band
of streakings across belly). There is a great deal of variation, especially in the Plains, where more than one race occurs. Individuals vary from the whitish, white-tailed kriderii race (Great Plains) and the pale-breasted race fuertesi (Big Bend and s. Texas) to reddish birds of the typical western race calurus, and even dusky melanistic birds. Black adults usually show red tails (unlike other black Buteos). Immatures are often light at the base of the tail, leading to confusion with Rough-leg and Swainson's. The voice is a rasping squeal, keeer-r-r (slurring downward.) The Red-shouldered Hawk is similar with a distinctly banded tail. Red-tails are from 19-25 inches long. The wing span is 4 feet. The female is larger, but similar. The young with dark, faintly barred tail. It is a permanent resident throughout its range, except in the north central states.
Red-tails lay 2 to 4 dull or creamy white; spotted reddish brown eggs (2.6 x 1.8
inches). The nest is built from branches and twigs; lined with grasses, weeds, dead leaves in tall trees, 20-80 feet up; in forest areas or in small groves. The young hatch after four to five weeks and leave the nest to hunt with their parents after a further five to six weeks.
The habitat is open country, woodlands, mountains and deserts. The Red-tail breeds throughout North America, from Alaska east to Nova Scotia and southward. It winters across the United States north to southern British Columbia and the Maritime Provinces.
American members of the genus Buteo includes the Red-tail, Red-shouldered, Swainson's, and Gray hawks, among others. The Red-tail is the most common. The so-called Harlan's Hawk was formerly considered to be a separate species. It does look different with its overall dark plumage, a dusky white tail, a diffuse blackish terminal band and showing some white streaking in the breast. This form breeds in Alaska and Canada. After nesting is complete these birds move south to winter in the central United States.
The Great Plains version of the Red-tailed Hawk is the so-called Krider's Hawk, which has paler underparts and a whitish tail with a pale reddish hue, while in flight it shows pale rectangular patches at the base of the primaries on the upperwing.
Like other "buteo" hawks, Red-tails spiral across the sky using updraughts and thermals to keep them aloft without too much wing flapping as they search for prey. Although Red-tails spend long hours in flight, they also like to wait on a favorite perch, watching over a selected area as they search for their favorite prey: small rodents, birds, snakes and insects.
Find the Wild Republic Red-tail Hawk Audubon Bird with sound, the Cuddlekins Red-tail Hawk and Orion the Red-tail Hawk plush toy from Douglas at the Jeannie's Cottage Gift Shop.
