Species · GBIF taxon 2480542
Buteo jamaicensis
buteo jamaicensisAlso known as Chickenhawk, Red-tail, Red-tailed Buzzard
Red-tailed hawks are formidable aerial predators easily recognized by their broad, rounded wings and the rich cinnamon-red tail of mature adults. They spend hours soaring on thermals or scanning open fields from roadside utility poles, utilizing their keen eyesight to spot small mammals from incredible heights. Their piercing, raspy scream is so iconic that Hollywood films frequently dub it over footage of other birds of prey.
RaptorDiurnalAdaptable
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Voles
- Mice
- Eastern Cottontail
Predators
- Great Horned Owl
- Golden Eagle
- Raccoon
ThreatsVehicle collisions, rodenticide poisoning, illegal shooting, and lead poisoning
HabitatsGrasslands, deserts, agricultural fields, deciduous and coniferous forests, and urban areas
Life span10 to 15 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- Speciesbuteo jamaicensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Possesses powerful talons and a sharp beak; observe from a distance and do not handle.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with extremely powerful talons and a sharp, hooked beak capable of causing severe lacerations if cornered or handled.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a large, broad-winged hawk with a dark brown back, a pale belly band, and a rust-colored tail.
- What to do
- Never attempt to rescue an injured hawk yourself; contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.
- What to notice
- Recognized by its large size, slow soaring flight, and high-pitched, raspy scream.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a respectful distance, especially during the spring nesting season when they are highly sensitive to disturbance.
Responsible observation
- Look Up: Scan utility poles, fence posts, and highway trees where they perch to hunt.
- Listen Closely: Identify their distinctive, descending raspy scream to locate soaring individuals.
- Keep Distance: Avoid approaching nesting sites in spring to prevent stressful defensive behavior.
Competitor "Great Horned Owl, the first I've seen in decent light this year. Didn't want to disturb it for too long so we continued along the trail" by island deborah- is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Doug Macaulay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Doug Macaulay · cc-by
Close Relative "Red-shouldered Hawk (and Ladybug)" by Andy Morffew is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative Flickr user lostinfog . Photo edited and uploaded to commons by user ltshears / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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