Illuminating the Red-tailed Hawk

Next time you are out for a walk make a point of looking up—into the sky, on treetops, utility poles, or on fence posts—and there’s a good chance you’ll see a Red-tailed Hawk. 

Red-tails are the second largest Buteo hawk in North America, occupying open habitats. Noted for broad rounded wings that span nearly four and a half feet, Red-tails have ruddy brown backs and heads, and a short, wide red tail. While there are dark- and rufous-morphs the most common is light. When seen from underneath these hawks are pale with a dark band across the belly, white throat, dark shoulder bars, and black tipped feathers. When soaring, you’ll see the sun glow red through their tails.  

Whether flying or perched Red-tails scan the ground for prey. They eat mostly small mammals but also birds, snakes and carrion. Like Great-horned Owls, Magpies, and Great Blue Herons, Red-tails build big stick nests—up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet across—in tree tops or on high ledges, affording them safety and good views. As you walk look high for nests in trees or on cliffs.

Listen for the Red-tailed Hawk’s classic screech. You’ll probably recognize the sound because Hollywood plays a Red-tailed Hawk call wherever there’s an eagle on screen. Hence it’s easily recognized. If you hear the call, take a look, as you may be privy to a special event. Once, the call alerted me to an airshow of tumbling and turning and screeching as one Red-tail tried to steal prey from another’s talons. Ultimately the prey was dropped, the thief flew away and the hunter resumed searching for dinner. 

Note that Scrub-jays and Steller’s jays, both commonly seen in the Foothills, can perfectly mimic the Red-tail call. So, when you hear a Red-tail, look closely; you may have been fooled!

While generally we see less wildlife in the Foothills during the quiet winter months you will actually see more Red-tailed Hawks. With the arrival of winter cold, birds from the far north join those living further south. Hence this is a good time for you to become familiar with this quintessential hawk.  

By Hilary Jacobs