Red-tailed Hawk: North America’s Most Common Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is the most widespread hawk in North America and a familiar sight perched along highways.

Identification

Adults show a rusty-red tail, pale underneath with a dark belly band, and broad wings. Light morphs are most common, but dark and rufous morphs also occur.

Call

Its harsh, descending kee-eeee-ar is often used as the generic “hawk scream” in movies.

Habitat and Diet

Red-tails inhabit open country, woodlands, and deserts. They hunt mammals, birds, and reptiles from perches and the air. Compare with accipiters in our Hawks hub.