Red-tailed Hawk Size report

red-tail hawkThe red-tailed hawk (scientific name: Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the largest members of the Buteo genus in North America, known as "buzzards" in Europe and "hawks" in North America. They occur in most high-altitude regions of North America except the Arctic. The red-tailed buzzard is used as a sign and symbol in Native American cultures, and its feathers are often used in various religious ceremonies.

Red-tailed hawks often hunt along highways, circling overhead or hovering in place as they scan the ground for prey. You have probably seen one from a distance, but most people may think it is an eagle. Red-tailed hawks are large with typical Buteo proportions: broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail.

You may see a gorgeous bald eagle sweep across a TV or movie screen while it makes a harsh scream "Kree-eee-ar" call. But it was more likely the piercing shrill of a red-tailed hawk instead. Keep reading the post to get more information about red-tailed hawks.

Red-tailed Hawk Basics

The red-tailed hawk is probably the most common hawk species in North America, and there are more than 200 worldwide and about 25 species in the U.S. It is a great time to learn how to identify a red-tailed hawk. Red-tailed hawks have roughly the same appearance, despite their different colors.

Color

The red-tailed hawk has a variety of feather colors and is a species that has successfully adapted to the environment. Most Red-tailed Hawks are rich brown above and pale below, with a streaked belly and, on the wing underside, a dark bar between shoulder and wrist. The tail is usually pale below and cinnamon-red above. The youngsters are also much lighter color than their parents, with their feathers gradually changing color over several molts.

The plumage of each subspecies of the red-tailed buzzard is quite different. For example, the great plains subspecies of the red-tailed hawk can have three varieties light reddish-brown, dark reddish-brown, and medium reddish brown. "Dark-morph" hawks are all chocolate-brown with a warm red tail. "Rufous-morph" hawks are reddish-brown on the chest with a dark belly.

Average Size

The red-tailed buzzard has a relatively obvious dichotomy between males and females, with females 25% larger than males. The red-tailed hawk is one of the largest members of the genus Buteo, typically weighing from 690 to 1,600 g (1.5 to 3.5 lb) and measuring 45–65 cm (18–26 in) in length, with a wingspan from 110–141 cm (3 ft 7 in – 4 ft 8 in).

Body MeasurementMaleFemal
Length17.7-22.1 in (45-56 cm)
19.7-25.6 in (50-65 cm)
Weight24.3-45.9 oz (690-1300 g)
31.8-51.5 oz (900-1460 g)
Wingspan44.9-52.4 in (114-133 cm)
44.9-52.4 in (114-133 cm)

A red-tailed-hawk flying

Habitat

Red-tailed hawks breed throughout North America in forested areas, mountains, treeless plains, and deserts. In winter, they move south to areas south of southern Canada. People can look for these large Buteo along with fields and perched on poles, fence posts, or trees standing alone or along the edges of fields.

Feeding and living habits

The red-tailed hawks are opportunistic in their predation. They feed various small mammals, birds, and reptiles. In high flight and flapping, they fly between 20-40mph but can reach speeds of up to 120mph in a dive. When the red-tailed hawk walks on the ground, its steps are clumsy and slow. They mainly jump when chasing insects and snakes on the ground.

Red-tailed buzzards do not usually attack humans and other birds, but they are frequently attacked by crows, magpies, owls, and other hawks. When threatened, their strategy is to escape rather than protect the nest. The nests are generally built on large trees above 4-21 meters or rocks above 35 meters, and sometimes they also choose human buildings as the location of their nests. The nests can reach 71-97 cm in diameter and 90 cm high and consist of branches, bark, needles, rhizomes, etc.

Red-tailed Hawk hunt a rat

Reproduction

Red-tailed hawks reach sexual maturity around three, are monogamous, and usually seek a new mate only after the original mate has died. They usually lay eggs on April, 1-5 eggs at a time. Both male and female birds are involved in brooding. The male has a shorter incubation time but is responsible for feeding the female, and the incubation time is 28-35 days. After about 42-46 days, the chicks leave the nest to learn to fly. The lifespan can be up to 22 years.

Conclusion

The red-tailed hawks are not considered endangered animals, and their population has shown an increase in recent years, and it is the most commonly seen bird of prey on the continent. The main threat to them is the loss of their habitat as we continue to build on more land and modern technology such as cars.

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