Red-Tailed Hawk

Red-Tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

The red-tailed hawk is a large, powerful bird of prey recognized by its distinctive reddish-brown tail. Common across North America, it inhabits a variety of environments and hunts small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Known for its keen eyesight and soaring flight, it's one of the most widely seen hawks in the region.

CONSERVATION STATUS: LEAST CONCERN

Range

The red-tailed hawk is found across North and Central America, including the U.S., southern Canada, and parts of Mexico

Fast Facts

  • Description

    The red-tailed hawk has a large, robust body with a distinctive reddish-brown tail, a dark beak, and a pale chest with streaks. Its wings are broad and often marked with darker patches.

  • Diet

    Red-tailed hawks primarily feeds on small mammals like rodents and rabbits, as well as birds and reptiles.

  • Size

    Adult red-tailed hawks typically measure 18-26 inches in length, with a wingspan of 45-52 inches. They weigh between 1.5 to 3.5 pounds.

  • Lifespan

    Wild: 10-15 years

    Human care: 30 years

Red-tailed hawks are often featured in popular culture, especially in movies and TV shows, due to their distinctive call, which is commonly mistaken for that of an eagle. Their actual call is a high-pitched, screaming whistle, often heard while they are soaring overhead.

Fun Fact

Our Wildlife Ambassadors

Cherokee

Cherokee's journey to becoming an ambassador began after he was struck by a car, which resulted in the loss of his right eye. While he can no longer hunt on his own, Cherokee has become a vital part of our mission, offering visitors a rare and graceful glimpse of one of North America's most common hawks. As a non-releasable bird, he helps educate people, showing them the beauty and power of these incredible creatures up close. His presence serves as a reminder of the resilience of wildlife, even in the face of adversity.

Cherokee was the first bird to join the Raptor Hallow family; has been at the sanctuary since 2016