Red-tailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk (*Buteo jamaicensis*) is a large North American bird of prey and one of the continent’s most common hawks.

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a large North American bird of prey and one of the continent’s most common hawks. It is known for its broad wings, variable plumage, and the reddish tail that adults typically show. The species occupies a wide range of open and semi-open habitats and is found from Alaska and Canada south into Central America.

Description

Red-tailed Hawks are large, stocky hawks with broad wings and a short, wide tail. Adult birds usually show a reddish tail, while overall plumage can vary widely across the species’ range. Their wingspan is about 38 to 56 inches.

Range and habitat

The species occurs across much of North America, from Alaska and Canada south to Panama and the West Indies. It is commonly associated with open country, including fields, prairies, marshes, and open woodlands, and is also seen near farms, roads, and cities. In Canada, it breeds in many provinces and is a familiar raptor in open country, farmland, and urban edges.

Diet and hunting

Red-tailed Hawks are opportunistic predators. They are generalist hunters that hunt from perches and in flight. Their diet is dominated by small mammals such as mice, rabbits, and hares, but they also take birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and carrion.

Breeding and life history

The breeding range extends from Alaska and Canada south through the United States and into Mexico and Central America. Northern populations often move south in winter, and the species is generally considered common and stable in many areas.

Conservation and status

The Red-tailed Hawk is listed as Least Concern and is considered widespread and common. Although some populations face threats such as collisions and contaminants, the species remains one of North America’s most successful raptors.