Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a robust bird of prey, one of the most familiar hawks in North America. This species exhibits a broad range of plumage variations, with 14 recognized subspecies differing in color and range. The Red-tailed Hawk is a large raptor, weighing between 690 to 1,600 grams (1.5 to 3.5 pounds), with a length of 45–65 centimeters (18–26 inches) and a wingspan of 110–141 centimeters (3 feet 7 inches – 4 feet 8 inches). Females are typically about 25% heavier than males. The species is known for its brick-red tail, which gives it its common name.

Identification Tips

Adult Red-tailed Hawks have a rich brown upper body and pale underparts, with a streaked belly and a dark bar between the shoulder and wrist. The tail is usually a rich red color above and pale below, with a black subterminal band. Immature birds have a brown tail with dark bars and may lack the red coloration. The bird's beak is short and dark, and the legs and feet are yellow. In flight, the broad, rounded wings and short, wide tail are characteristic.

Habitat

Red-tailed Hawks are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, grasslands, forests, agricultural fields, and urban areas. They prefer open areas with high perching sites from which they can survey their territory.

Distribution

This species has a vast range, breeding from Alaska and northern Canada down through the United States to Panama and the West Indies. It is absent from the high Arctic and the most densely forested parts of the Amazon.

Behaviour

Red-tailed Hawks are known for their soaring flight, often seen circling high above the ground. They are territorial and can be aggressive, especially during the breeding season. These hawks are solitary hunters but may form pairs or small family groups.

Song & Calls

The Red-tailed Hawk's call is a distinctive, rasping scream, often used in movies as a generic raptor sound effect. They vocalize most frequently during the breeding season, with a variety of calls used for communication between mates and signaling distress.

Breeding

Red-tailed Hawks typically mate for life and build large stick nests in tall trees or on man-made structures. They lay 1 to 3 eggs per clutch, which are incubated primarily by the female for about a month. The young fledge after 6 to 7 weeks but may remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.

Similar Species

The Red-tailed Hawk can be confused with other Buteo species, but its red tail and dark patagial marks on the leading edge of the wings are distinctive. The Ferruginous Hawk and the Rough-legged Hawk are similar in size but have different plumage patterns and habitat preferences.

Diet and Feeding

Red-tailed Hawks are opportunistic feeders with a diet that reflects the diversity of prey available in their range. They primarily hunt small mammals, such as rodents and rabbits, but will also take birds, reptiles, and occasionally carrion.

Conservation status

The Red-tailed Hawk is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable and widespread population. It is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Red-tailed Hawk Sounds


Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Red-tailed Hawk Fun Facts

Did you know?
That the Red-tailed Hawk's call often used for Eagle sounds in cinema.

Red-tailed Hawks on Birda

Sightings

More Kites, Hawks, Eagles

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Emcil24
A Friendly Place
I love using the bird app, I have a pretty good knowledge of birds. But I do have some gaps in it, so it’s nice to have a safe space to check on a sighting to confirm the species. It’s really enjoyable and I love the badges you can collect. It’s like a real life Pokémon go.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.