| Red-tailed Hawk | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific Classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Buteo jamaicensis |
The Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, is a large hawk.
Adults have a dark mark on the underwing, between the body and the wrist (the patagium). They have broad wings; some but not all colour variations have a red tail and a dark band across the belly. Eastern birds have a dark red tail; there are two main colour variations:
- Light morph birds are mainly brown on the upperparts and white on the underparts and underwings; they show a belly band.
- Dark morph birds are very dark brown on both upperparts and underparts; they have lighter parts on the underwings.
- Harlan's Hawk has very dark plumage; the tail may be reddish or grey. It is found in the west from Alaska to Texas.
- Krider's Hawk is paler on the head than the eastern birds; the tail may be pinkish or white. It is mainly found in the central prairies.
In most of the United States, Red-tailed Hawks are permanent residents. Northern birds migrate further south.
These birds wait on a high perch and swoop down on prey; they may also patrol open areas. They mainly eat small mammals, birds and reptiles.
In flight, these birds soar with wings in a slight dihedral, flapping as little as possible.
