![]() Chances are it will be the first hawk you see. So the next time you take a long drive, keep an eye out for a Red-tail. Consequently, the species is not considered threatened. Partners in Flight, a cooperative effort among conservation groups at government, international, professional and amateur levels, estimates Red-tails have a global breeding population of 2.3 million birds, with 75% of those spending some part of the year in the United States. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, its populations have increased throughout most of its range since the 1960s. The Red-tailed Hawk’s adaptability has led it to become one of the continent’s most successful birds. If the Red-tails discover that their nest has been taken over, they will construct a new one in the same territory. Because the owls do not construct their own nests, they may take over one vacated by a Red-tail pair. These owls begin their nesting behavior in December, earlier than the Red-tails. ![]() They will occupy the same nesting territory year after year, defending it from juvenile hawks and other birds that compete with them for the same food, such as great horned owls. They reach full maturity after two years, and generally mate for life, only taking a new mate when the original partner dies. The female’s body length ranges from 20 to 26 inches (50 to 65 cm), while the male generally runs from 18 to 22 inches (45 to 56 cm). Males weigh generally 25 to 46 ounces (690 to 100 grams), while females weigh 32 to 52 ounces (900 to 1460 g). Eastern adults have brilliant reddish-orange tail and pale underparts with obvious band of dark marks across belly. Incredible variation in plumages, including less common dark morphs and various regional differences. Often perches atop telephone poles, light posts, and edges of trees. In Maryland, the hawks will capture mice, voles, rabbits and ground squirrels, among other animals, providing an important check on rodent populations.Īdult female Red-tails are up to 25% larger than the males, which is common among raptors. Most common roadside raptor across much of North America. Whether soaring or perching, the birds are looking down on the open areas beneath them, keeping an eye out for its prey. Its chest and underwing feathers are paler, with a dark bar from shoulder to wrist that is apparent in flight. They are easy to identify as they perch they have rich brown feathers on their back with a distinctive cinnamon-red tail. They can also be seen perching on trees, fence posts, or telephone poles alongside the road. Many people see Red-tails as the birds soar in circles on thermal currents above open fields. For example, the grounds of the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center, just across the Potomac River from Maryland in Shepherdstown WV, is home to an internationally-known bald eagle pair that migrates and returns to a nest every year, but also houses a population of Red-tails that live there year round. ![]() However, those in central or southern latitudes may be permanent residents. Like other raptors, Red-tailed Hawks in northern latitudes may migrate south during winter months. This bird of prey is found as far north as Alaska and as far south as Panama and the West Indies, occupying deserts, grasslands, deciduous and coniferous forests, as well as agricultural and urban areas. Throughout Maryland’s habitats, you will find one of the most successful raptors in North America: the Red-tailed Hawk. ![]()
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