Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

The Red-tail divides its time between perching in trees and soaring, always looking for prey, such as small rodents or reptiles. Like other buteos (soaring hawks), it drifts in wide circles in the sky.

Look For : Brown above, white below, often with dark streaks on belly. May be all brown in West. The tail is brown in juveniles, orangish in adults.

Length : 18-25".

Habitat : Open country, forests.

Range : Alaska and Canada (mainly only in summer) and south throughout U.S.