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Red-tail Hawks

"Red-tail Hawk — Taking off from a tree at the top of Bernal Hill Park"
Photograph by Gail Williams, © 2011

Red-tail Hawks
are one of the most widespread and commonly observed birds of prey in North America, they range from central Alaska to Venezuela and the Virgin Islands. Sixteen subspecies have been recognized: differences are usually in color, tail markings, and size. Most Red-tail Hawks are rich brown above, pale below; have a streaked belly and underside; a dark bar between shoulder and wrist, tails that are pale underneath and cinnamon-red above. In young birds the tail is brown and banded.

Migration is generally 150 km, birds rarely make water crossings greater than 25 km. norther populations migrate south, those who breed in southern U.S and northern Mexico are year-round residents. They are generally monogamous and pairs and they mate during spectacular aerial maneuvers.

In interior North America, 2 or 3 eggs are laid in mid to late-March. Incubation lasts about 28 days. The young birds are ready to leave the nest 42–46 days after hatching, but may remain associated with their parents for six months or more.

Red-tail Hawks usually inhabit open areas that have occasional patches of trees or structures with similar features. They nest in closed canopy rain and cloud forests in the tropics. Hawks vigorously defend their territories, range is from 1.25 km to 2.5 km. The minimum reported inter-nest distance was .32 km. In all habitats, they dive from high in the air to attack prey.

Their diet includes small to medium sized mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods and fresh carrion. Even in urban settings, it is very uncommon for Red-tails to visit bird feeders like Cooper’s or Sharp-shinned hawks are known to do, and they rarely go after dogs or cats.

Red-tail Hawks are considered common. The global population is at 2 million-plus, is considered stable, possibly increasing. During the mid- to late-20th century, hawk population increased in North America most likely in response to appropriate natural area habitats being created. The species can also thrive in urban and exurban settings, and agricultural areas if there is sufficient open space, perch sites, prey, and trees or similar structures for nesting.

Sources
Raptors of Western North America
Hawks in Flight
Hawks from Every Angle
Cornell Ornithology Lab Birds Guide http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/red-tailed_hawk/id