Learning All About the Red-Tailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk is the most powerful of all of the common hawks. It is a fierce hunter with keen vision and hearing. This hawk is one of the biggest hawks found throughout North America. In fact, some call the bird a “tiger hawk,” which is almost as ferocious as a tiger.

Red-tailed Hawks are fascinating to watch as they soar high above, circling the land. Learn more about this species of hawk here on this Wildlife ID page from Covenant Wildlife Removal.

Red-Tailed Hawk Facts

The glorious Red-tailed hawk soars high above the ground for long periods with its impressive wingspan and plumage. And their call sounds a bit like a raspy scream saying “kree-eee-ar.”

“The red-tailed hawk was once on the path to becoming an endangered bird but has made an incredible comeback. The Migratory Bird Act makes it illegal to hunt or capture the red-tailed hawk.” –Elmwood Park Zoo.

Here are some of the more interesting facts about the Red-tailed hawk.

The females are almost a whole 1/3 larger than the males.
Their plumage can differ in significant variation from bird to bird.
Red-tail vision is eight times as powerful as that of a human.
These hawks can stand still like a kite with their wings outstretched. This skill is called “kiting,” and few birds can accomplish this feat.

One more thing… the cry you hear in movies representing an eagle’s battle cry is actually the sound of a Red-tail.

Appearance:

Striking in appearance is the Red-Tailed Hawk. They are the second largest of all the hawks and are bigger than a crow and smaller than a goose. In fact, they are slightly smaller than a Great Horned Hawk and every bit as beautiful.

The Red-tailed Hawk is a broad-bodied, rounded wing hawk with a short and broad tail. And the females are the larger of the two. This hawk’s color pattern is a rich brown on the back and pale-colored on the belly. The belly is streaked, the tail is pale under, and a cinnamon-red on the top with a dark bar spanning shoulder to wrist.

Males

Length: 17.7 – 22.1 inches

Weight: 24.3 – 45.9 ounces

Wingspan: 44.9 – 52.4 inches

Females

Length: 19.7-25.6 inches

Weight: 31.8-51.5 ounces

Wingspan: 44.9-52.4 inches

The Red-tailed Hawk has a lifespan of an impressive up to 20 years.

Behavior:

These hawks are nocturnal; however, you may see them out at dusk. You may see them sitting on the fence or in a tree scouting the area for prey. Red-tail nests are 35 to 75 feet high in the forks of trees. Made together, the males and females construct these flat and shallow nests made of sticks and small twigs.

Habitat:

The habitat of the Red-Tailed Hawk is vast as they are America’s most widely distributed hawk. It ranges from the coniferous and deciduous forests and to the tropical forests. You may also find these hawks in open areas like the swamps, deserts, tundra, plains, and agricultural fields of North America. They are not a deep-woods variety, and they can even be seen in urban areas.

Diet:

The fierce Red-tailed hawks locate prey from an incredible 100 feet up in the air. Their strong beaks and talons allow the hawk to swoop down and grasp small rodents and reptiles. Occasionally they may spice their diet with some fish or a small bird.

What to Do If a Hawk Perches in Your Yard

Red-tailed Hawks are yet another example of critter control for farms and more. However, if you happen to have a toy dog or just plain don’t want the hawk there, getting rid of it can be tricky. Rarely will a hawk build a nest in a tree that is anywhere close to people. But if they do, there is really not much danger.

If you happen to have a toy-sized dog, you may want to be outside when the pup is out there. Other than that, these hawks may just be helping you with your underlying rodent problem.

Then, if you still want the hawk to go away, make sure you do not have a rodent issue. Now, that is challenging if you live in a wooded area. But the experts at Covenant Wildlife Removal can show you how to keep rodents off your property and more.

Covenant Wildlife Removal Deters Hawks in Alabama

Do you have a hawk issue on your property? Then you probably have a rodent issue too. Covenant Wildlife Removal is here for all your wildlife removal needs. We promise to use safe and humane methods whenever possible and abide by the local laws. Our team of expertly trained specialists is ready to help you reclaim your home when unwanted guests make their way onto your property.

Every day we remove nests, pests, and critters of all sorts from Georgia homes. There is just about nothing we have not seen or removed. And if the animal is protected, we can relocate the critter to a shelter or state-approved area for rehabilitation and relocation.

Click here for a free inspection with our expert team of wildlife removal specialists. Covenant Wildlife Removal will be there right away for all your pest removal needs.

Covenant Wildlife Removal is a top-rated local family-owned, full-service wildlife trapping, removal, and repair service. We can remove a rat infestation before it becomes an extensive problem for you and your family.

Learning All About the Red-Tailed Hawk