Red-tailed hawk - Sierra Club BC
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Red-tailed hawk

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Red-tailed hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Appearance

Red-tailed hawks have many different colour patterns in both light and dark phases. But, as the name indicates, most adults have a red-coloured tail and a light belly with a dark band across it. They have sharp beaks and talons, yellow legs and very good eyesight. An adult hawk can stand over 60 centimetres tall, and the females are bigger than the males.

Range & Habitat

These hawks are found across North America, Mexico and Central America. They are found in many habitats, including open meadows, prairies, mountains and forests. They will go almost anywhere that they can find food. In B.C., this bird is found in every ecoprovince.

Reciprocal Relationships 

Red-tailed hawks are carnivores and their diet mostly consists of small mammals, birds and reptiles. They are gifted with patience, keen eyesight and sharp claws that allow them to catch their prey. They use their very sharp claws and keen eyesight to catch their prey. They will perch themselves in a spot with a clear view of food. Once spotted, they will quickly and dynamically swoop in to catch their prey. 

They will stay with the same mate and territory for years; they are very territorial and will aggressively defend their area. These hawks lay two to five eggs in the springtime, and the chicks take almost three months to leave the nest.  

Young hawks are in danger from owls and other raptors looking for a quick meal, while adults have been hunted and trapped in very large numbers in the past. 

Like other hawks, humans do a lot to steward and protect red-tailed hawk populations. Fortunately, these hawks are some of the most compatible with human communities. They are very tolerant of human activity. They can nest and forage in urban and rural settings. 

Status

COSEWIC: Not at Risk 
CDC: Yellow 

More Information

If you belong to a First Nation with a story or piece of information not represented here and you would like to share more about this species, please email us at education@sierraclub.bc.ca

Photo Credit

Canva

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