red tailed hawk red tailed hawk bird prey species colloquially known united_states rarely standard sized chickens breeds north_america western alaska northern canada far south panama west_indies common north_america red tailed hawks range fourteen recognized subspecies vary appearance range largest members genus north_america typically weighing measuring length wingspan red tailed hawk displays sexual size females averaging heavier males bird referred red tail short meaning clear context subspecies hawk considered separate species red tailed hawk occupies wide range habitats altitudes including coniferous deciduous forests agricultural fields urban areas lives north american continent areas forest high arctic legally protected canada mexico united_states common easily trained capable hunters majority hawks captured united_states red tails permitted passage hawks left nest year old affect breeding population adults breeding chicks taken purposes illegal passage red tailed hawks preferred younger birds developed adult behaviors difficult train description case red tailed hawk displays sexual size females larger males typical large frequently reported mean body mass red tailed hawks somewhat higher expansive research reveals weight highly variable variation male red tailed hawks weigh females research studies occurring migration sites united_states breeding studies smallest race puerto_rico larger races wisconsin males weigh mean females weigh mean lighter prior species wide published weights heaviest surveyed weights came migrants cape new_jersey females weighed mean males mean breeding population forest openings puerto_rico females males weighed average respectively highest size sexual species size variation body mass reveals red tailed hawks typically varies modest racial variation average weights great mean body mass nearly twice heaviest race heavier known race average variable hawk heaviest race heavier average males reportedly measure total length females measuring long wingspan range standard scientific method measuring wing size wing chord long tail measures length exposed reported range averaged middle toe excluding range rear toe evolved largest measuring length red tailed hawk plumage variable depending subspecies region color variations related western north american population variable subspecies color light dark intermediate dark intermediate constitute population markings vary subspecies basic appearance red tailed hawk consistent overall species broad shape appearing heavier similar length whitish dark brown band belly formed horizontal streaks feather present color variations especially younger birds underside covered dark brown spotting red tail gives species uniformly brick red light buff orange bill short dark hooked shape characteristic head appear small size thick body frame relatively short broad tails thick wings legs feet red tailed hawk yellow immature birds readily identified close range yellowish bird maturity course years iris slowly reddish brown light dark tail immature red tailed hawk patterned numerous darker bars taxonomy red tailed hawk member genus group medium sized robust bodies broad wings members genus known europe hawks north_america recognized subspecies vary range coloration nominate subspecies occurs northern west_indies including jamaica hispaniola puerto_rico lesser antilles bahamas cuba puerto_rico holds highest known density red tailed hawks bird referred island breeds probably resident southeastern coastal alaska queen charlotte islands british_columbia group eastern red tailed hawk breeds southeast canada maine south eastern texas east northern florida winters southern ontario east southern maine south gulf_coast florida western red tailed hawk breeds central interior alaska western canada south baja california winters southwestern british_columbia southwest guatemala northern nicaragua paler individuals northern mexico lack dark wing marking resident nicaragua panama subspecies dark brown flanks wing sides birds chest heavily northern migrants central_america southwestern red tailed hawk breeds northern southern texas winters arizona new_mexico southern louisiana belly lightly tail pale mexican highlands red tailed hawk classified species hawk markedly different red tails color plumage white lacking warm tones save tail tail reddish whitish gray barred shorter result don reach tail birds breeds alaska northwestern canada winters nebraska kansas texas northern louisiana population separate species dark subspecies resident nicaragua dark wing marking distinct paler birds red tailed hawk paler red tails especially head tail pinkish white breeding season occurs southern alberta southern southern extreme western ontario south south central montana wyoming western nebraska western minnesota winter occurs southern minnesota south arizona new_mexico texas louisiana bahamas cuba occurs year round florida north tampa bay prairie similar appearance island forms overlap range subspecies distribution habitat red tailed hawk widely scattered hawks americas breeds central alaska east southern quebec south florida west_indies central_america winter range stretches southern canada south remainder breeding range preferred habitat mixed forest field high trees perch sites occupies wide range habitats altitudes including coastal regions mountains foothills coniferous deciduous woodlands tropical agricultural fields urban areas second falcon use diverse habitats north_america lives north american continent areas forest high arctic red tailed hawk widespread north_america partially historic settlement patterns benefited clearing forests northeast created hunting areas preservation left species viable nest sites increase trees great plains past century fire suppression tree planting facilitated western range expansion red tailed hawk range expansions species birds construction highways utility poles alongside provided perfect habitat perch hunting unlike red tailed hawk seemingly considerable human activity nest live close proximity large numbers humans species found cities common prey rock brown rats support populations famous urban red tailed hawk known pale male subject non fiction book love wildlife drama known red tail decades successfully nest raise young crowded new_york_city borough manhattan behavior flight flight hawk wings slight little possible conserve energy active flight slow deliberate deep wing beats wind occasionally beating wings remains stationary ground soaring wings typically travels mph diving exceed mph cry red tailed hawk second scream described begins high pitch downward cry described sounding similar steam whistle red tailed hawk frequently hunting soaring annoyance anger response predator rival hawk intrusion territory close range makes young hawks utter food cry parents leave nest fierce screaming cry red tailed hawk frequently generic sound effect television shows media bird featured red tailed hawk diet red tailed hawk diet mainly small mammals includes birds reptiles prey varies regional seasonal availability usually centers comprising hawk diet commonly reported prey types include mice including native species house mice ground tree additional prey listed descending likelihood predation include bats reptiles fish crustaceans insects found caribbean islands red tailed hawks prey reptiles snakes predominant native land animals region prey specimens range small size beetles worms prey white tailed female wild turkey easily double weight red tails prefer feed fresh prey killed hawks occasionally consuming winter captivity average red tail eat daily red tailed hawk commonly employs hunting techniques scan prey activity elevated perch site perch seize prey watch prey flying capturing bird flight pursuing prey ground pin red tailed hawks like observed hunt pairs consist stalking sides tree order surround tree inevitably drive captured hawk attracted conspicuous meals displaying male red winged great owl occupies similar ecological niche red tail taking similar prey competition occur hawk owl species twilight differing nesting season activity times usually results lack direct competition red tail prey average larger owl diet owl occasional predator red tailed hawks age hawks known adult great competitors include large species hawks rough legged hawks northern prey foraging methods species occasionally overlap hawks observed following american capture prey flush considered potential competitors competition occur american working displace hawk larger eagles hawks steal hawk kills reproduction red tailed hawk reaches sexual maturity years age mating individual years general red tailed hawk new mate original mate dies nesting territory defended pair years courtship male female fly wide circles cries male performs aerial displays diving climbing repeating display times briefly courtship flights minutes follows courtship flight sequences frequently occurs absence courtship flights female forward allowing male land feet lodged horizontal female twists moves tail feathers mounted male twists opening female lasts seconds pre nesting courtship late winter early spring occur numerous times day period pair stick nest large tree ground cliff higher ground nest man structures nest generally diameter tall nest constructed twigs lined bark pine corn plant lining matter great compete red tailed hawk nest sites species known kill young destroy eggs general species nest adjacent territories conflict great incapable constructing nests typically existing red tail nests great begin nesting behaviors earlier red tails early december red tails adapted constructing new nests previous year nest overtaken lost new nests typically kilometer previous nest new nest meters previous large predator predation hawks occurs eggs taken clutch eggs laid march april depending latitude clutch size depends exclusively availability prey adults eggs laid approximately day eggs usually primarily female male female leaves hunt merely stretch wings male brings food female days eggs hatch days hatching female male provides food female young known pronounced eye female feeds tearing food small pieces days begin leave nest period follows short flights engaged weeks weeks young begin capture prey shortly young months age independent parents hawks generally reach breeding maturity years age wild red tailed hawks lived years example born spring raising oldest captive hawk species half years age relationship humans use red tailed hawk popular bird particularly united_states sport tightly regulated red tailed hawks widely available allowed red tailed hawks highly social disposition hawks harris hawk long lived highly disease resistant allowing maintain red tailed hawk hunting companion years fewer united_states despite popularity effect red tailed hawk population estimated million united_states swift red tailed hawks effective bird hawks usually ground game rabbits individuals learn ambush birds ground swift surprise approach capture accelerate speed escape learned use falcon like diving capture challenging game course typical hunt red tailed hawk commonly releases hawk allows perch tree high point aided dog attempts flush prey stirring ground cover trained red tailed hawk follow dog realizing activities produce opportunities catch game catches game bring instead locate bird captured prey carefully approach trade bird kill exchange piece offered meat feathers native american use feathers parts red tailed hawk considered sacred american indigenous people like feathers bald eagle golden eagle religious ceremonies found native americans united_states parts especially distinctive tail feathers popular item native american community species feathers parts red tailed hawk regulated eagle feather law possession feathers parts migratory birds historical works red tailed hawk biography vol right red tailed vol edition appears combination companion works early 1830s plates descriptions vol right vol live nest cameras live sierra live madison
Red-tailed hawk