Red Tail Hawk
Zoo Animals
Red tail Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Range: Has a wide range of habitats, Pine and Oak forests, some mountainous areas, as well as grasslands and some desert areas. Can be found throughout North America and as far south as Panama.
Physical characteristics:
Color: Very broad and stout bird with three color morphs: Light morph- mainly brown on upper parts and very pale brown or buff on under parts; they will show a bark bellyband. Rufous morph- darker and redder with reddish-brown rather than white under parts. Bellyband may be barely visible.
Dark morph- Very dark brown on both upper and under parts with light parts on the wings.
Eyes: Eight times as powerful eyes as humans but cannot see directly in front of them because their eyes are placed towards sides of head. As they approach sexual maturity the iris of the eyes will slowly darken into a reddish-brown hue.
Mouth/teeth: Strong, hooked beaks
Feet: Three toes point forward and one-toe points back. Toes are equipped with long curved talons.
Tail: Distinctive red feathers
Length: 50-65 cm, with a wingspan of 56 in.
Weight: 2-4 lb, Females are larger than males
Life expectancy: 10-21 years
Diet:
Mostly eats: Rabbits and small rodents
Will sometimes eat: Pheasant, snakes and lizards
Special adaptations: Spends 7-9 hours a day hunting
Reproduction:
Breeding behavior: A male and female will soar together in wide circles at a great height. Then the male will dive down at a steep angle and shoot up again. He will repeat this action several times. Then he will approach the female from above and extend his legs and touch or grasp her briefly. The pair may grab onto one another and interlock their talons and spiral towards the ground. Courtship behavior happens during flight.
Mating season: Spring, March-May
Mating frequency: Have strong pair bonds
Nest: Female builds nest and incubates eggs. Females will use same nest from year to year.
Number of offspring per “litter”: 1-3 eggs
Age of sexual maturity: 3 years
Gestation length: Incubate 28-32 days
Weaning age: Fledge at 45 days
Parental care: Male will hunt for female and self when female is on nest. After chicks are born, both parents will hunt to supply chicks with food.
Defense behaviors/adaptations:
First defense: Fly away
Last resort: Talons
Effects of man on populations: These birds are sometimes shot because they may prey upon pets and chickens of farmers.
Other facts of special interest:
Feathers are under the same protection as Eagle feathers, all parts are property of the Federal government.
In movies, they use the call of the Red tail Hawk as the sound for an Eagle because it is much more impressive.
