Hawk Like

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis
Red-tailed Hawk thumbnail
Length: 19 in. (48 cm )
One of the most common and obvious hawks in North America, Red-tailed Hawks are found in open habitat, fields, and desert areas with a few trees. This species eats small mammals, frogs, fish and occasionally rotting animals. Its huge nest is made of sticks and twigs and located high in an isolated tree. Individuals show tremendous variation in body color from black to brown and pale, but the tail of adults is almost always reddish.

The four-digit banding code is RTHA.

Male | Robert Shantz

Male | Robert Shantz

Male | Robert Shantz



Aerial

Agricultural

Chaparral

Cliffs / boulders

Desert

Fir forest

Grasslands

Mesquite bosque

Riparian / River forest

Savanna

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Bird Sound Type: Screeching
Sex of Bird: Male
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You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Red-tailed Hawk
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: January 12, 2025
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/red-tailed-hawk

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Red-tailed Hawk. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved January 12, 2025 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/red-tailed-hawk

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Red-tailed Hawk". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/red-tailed-hawk

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Red-tailed Hawk". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 12 Jan 2025. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/red-tailed-hawk

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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