GENERAL INFORMATION

The Red-Tailed Hawk is the largest and probably the best known species of hawk in our region. It is also the most common in most areas.

DESCRIPTION

The red-tailed hawk is a large bird measuring 18 to 25 inches in length with a wingspread of around 48 inches. It has broad rounded wings with a broad fanned tail. The tail, rust colored above and slightly duller below, is probably the best identification mark for mature adult birds. Immature red-tailed hawks do not molt into the rust-colored tail feathers until their second year. The breast of adult birds is primarily white, while the breast of an immature bird will have more streaking of brown. Both the adults and immatures have a fairly prominent brownish belly band which can often be seen at a distance. Red-tailed hawks are quite variable in overall coloration, with many different color phases ranging from light to dark.

HABITS AND HABITATS

Red-tailed hawks are fairly common permanent residents throughout the year in our area. They are more numerous during the fall and winter due to migrating red-tailed hawks from the northeastern United States, which pass through or overwinter here. Red-tailed hawks live mainly in deciduous forested areas and adjacent fields and forest openings where they hunt for a variety of prey including rats, mice, squirrels, rabbits, reptiles, amphibians, and even insects. Red-tails are diurnal hunters (feeding during daylight). They are classified as buteos, large soaring hawks that drop down upon their prey in a steep dive. They can often be seen soaring overhead or spotted as they perch in large trees, even along busy highways, constantly searching for their prey below. Red-tailed hawks build their nests in tall tree crotches 30 to 60 feet above the ground. The nest is bulky, consisting of sticks and then lined with smaller materials. Two to four dull white, brown-blotched eggs are laid usually in April. Incubation takes 28 to 34 days. The male red-tail hawk will feed the female as she incubates the eggs and will occasionally relieve her. The young birds remain in the nest for about six weeks and are cared for by both parents. It is believed that red-tailed hawks mate for life and return to the same nest site year after year.

HISTORY

Throughout the ages, birds of prey have fascinated mankind. The red-tailed hawk was often used in the ancient sport of falconry, practiced primarily by the rich nobility. Unfortunately in more recent times, red-tailed hawks and other predatory birds have often been viewed unfavorably because of their hunting skills, particularly by farmers and ranchers who often blame them for killing poultry or other small livestock. Even though this rarely happens, people still persecute these birds and other predators out of ignorance of their specialized role in nature. Hawks, along with other birds of prey, are important in controlling numbers of destructive rodents and other small animals. Red-tailed hawks, along with others, were often shot, poisoned and trapped earlier this century before laws were passed to protect them. Even though birds of prey are now protected by federal and state laws, many continue to be illegally killed, not only as hated predators, but also for their feathers and other body parts which often bring high dollars on the black market. Many red-tailed hawks and other birds of prey are also accidentally killed or injured each year due to collisions with automobiles, towers, fences and glass windows. Legal protection has helped the red-tailed hawk and others to make dramatic comebacks in many areas. As with many other animals, habitat loss remains the primary threat to the continued well being of these birds. Luckily, the red-tailed hawk is fairly adaptable and has learned to live in close proximity to man.

MEET OUR RED-TAILED HAWKS

The Nature Center is home to three red-tailed hawks. They live in our outdoor bird of prey aviary which is also home to vultures, owls, and golden eagles. Like all the other birds of prey exhibited at the Nature Center, our red-tailed hawks are unable to survive on their own in the wild due to injuries they have received. Look closely at our red-tails and you may spot two birds which have broken wings which did not heal properly and another which is missing a wing. In the wild, birds that cannot fly are unable to hunt or escape from their enemies and would certainly die. Our red-tailed hawks are fed a variety of "Prey" items including beef heart, raw chicken, dead rats, and a commercial product especially formulated for captive birds of prey.

INFORMATION LINKS

Birder.com
National Audubon Society

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©2002 WNC Nature Center