Red-tailed Hawk
A broad-winged raptor commonly seen on poles, thermals, and highway trees, yet extraordinarily variable in plumage.
Artwork inspired by Maynard Dixon
Red-tailed hawks hunt rodents, rabbits, reptiles, and other prey from elevated perches or while soaring. Adults commonly show a brick-red upper tail, but regional color forms range from very pale to nearly black.
The raspy scream used for “eagles” in movies is usually a red-tail recording. Scan fence posts and isolated trees across open ground. Year-round widely; migration can increase numbers in fall.
- Shape
- Broad wings + short tail
- Adult clue
- Brick-red tail
- Movie voice
- Often dubbed for eagles
Quick guide
- Perch
- Utility poles beside fields
- Below
- Belly band + dark patagial marks
Read the evidence for Red-tailed Hawk
- First impression
- Read broad wings when identifying Red-tailed Hawk.
- Confirm in detail
- Compare dark belly band together with belly band + dark patagial marks before accepting the identification.
- Where to expect it
- Open landscapes across North America; year-round widely; migration can increase numbers in fall.
- Watch without pressure
- Use distance to observe scan fence posts, utility poles.
Good to know
Red-tails can remain perched for long periods because waiting often costs less energy than constant searching flight. Use optics from a fixed position and leave the bird its hunting perch rather than moving closer for a photograph.
Notice these
- Broad wings
- Dark belly band
- Patagial marks
- Adult red tail