Buteo jamaicensis
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most widespread and commonly observed western hawk. It is common throughout the Rocky Mountains and is frequently seen perched in trees, overlooking open fields. The 'Harlan's Hawk' is a dark form of this species that breeds in Alaska and Canada and winters in the central and southern U.S. Rockies. The Red tail's distinctive call is most often heard in spring during courtship, but it can also be heard throughout the remainder of the year. The distinctive scream is commonly used in the background of TV shows and movies to create the sense of wilderness. This hawk occurs from Alaska to Panama and the West Indies. The scientific name jamaicensis refers to Jamaica, the source of the first scientifically described specimen of this species. |
I.D.: Sexes similar. General adult: red tail; dark upperparts; light underparts; brown 'belt'; light breast. Immature: extremely variable; lacks the red tail; generally darker. In flight: fan-shaped tail; dark leading edge on the underwing; light wing linings; dark belt. 'Harlan's Hawk': very dark; white mottling on back, breast and underwings; gray tail with dark streaks; variable. Size: Male: L 18-23 in. (46-58 cm); W 46-58 in. (117-147 cm.). Female: L 20-25 in. (51-64 cm.); W 46-58 in. (117-147 cm.). Range: common resident at low elevations from Colorado in southern Montana; common summer breeder and rare winter resident in the Canadian Rockies. Habitat: open country, utility rights-of-way, roadsides, fields, mixed woodlands; rarely in the high alpine. Nesting: usually in woodlands adjacent to open fields or shrublands; in a crotch in the crown of a deciduous tree, or occasionally a coniferous tree; rarely on cliffs; bulky stick nest is usually added to each year; both parents incubate the eggs; female alone raises the young, which fly at 61/2 weeks. Feeding: sit-and-wait hunting strategy from a perch on a fencepost, utility pole or tree; swoops down on prey; often dives after prey while soaring; occasionally forages by stalking on the ground; eats voles, mice, rabbits, chipmunks, small to medium-sized birds, amphibians and reptiles. Voice: down-slurred scream: keee-rrrr. Similar Species: Swainson's Hawk: present only in summer; dark bib; light leading edge on the underwings. Ferruginous Hawk: very large; dark legs; light underparts. Rough-legged Hawk: present only in winter; very dark; white tail base; elbow patches on the underwings. |
