Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

A fierce hunter with a striking rusty-red tail, this widespread raptor is a commanding presence as it soars over diverse landscapes across North America.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red-tailed Hawk is a robust raptor with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Its upperparts are dark brown, while the underparts are pale with a streaked belly band. The namesake red tail is visible in adults, appearing brick-red above.

Females are typically 25% larger than males but share similar plumage. Juveniles lack the red tail, instead showing a brown tail with narrow dark bands. Regional color variations exist, ranging from light to dark morphs.

Size

Length

45cm to 65cm

Wingspan

110cm to 141cm

Weight

690g to 1.46kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Red

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Yellow Grey

Leg Colour

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red-tailed Hawk can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red-tailed Hawk is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red-tailed Hawk is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red-tailed Hawk is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red-tailed Hawk can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red-tailed Hawk is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red-tailed Hawk can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red-tailed Hawk is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red-tailed Hawk is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red-tailed Hawk is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red-tailed Hawk can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red-tailed Hawk is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Red-tailed Hawks inhabit a wide range of open and semi-open habitats, including woodlands, prairies, deserts, and urban areas. They are found across North and Central America, from Alaska to Panama.

In the United States and Canada, they are year-round residents in many areas. Northern populations tend to migrate south for winter, while those in temperate regions often remain in their territories throughout the year.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,200 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-tailed Hawk. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons