Red-tailed Hawk: What Makes This Raptor So Unique
You might think you already know the red-tailed hawk. You see one by the highway or perched on a fence post and move on, figuring it’s just another common bird.
But there’s a lot more to these raptors than meets the eye. The Red-tailed Hawk Project wants you to look closer and discover why these birds are full of surprises.
Across North America, red-tailed hawks show up in a wild range of colors and shapes. Each sighting feels a little different.
Scientists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology use tracking and genetic tools to dig into what makes these birds tick. Their work could answer big questions about how these hawks fit into the world and maybe reveal secrets about bird evolution that no one has figured out yet.
Key Takeaways
- Red-tailed hawks come in a surprising range of forms.
- Scientists use new tools to study and track them.
- The project tries to answer long-standing questions about raptors.
Common, Yet Still Full of Secrets
If you spend time outside anywhere in North America, you’ve probably seen a Red-tailed Hawk soaring overhead or perched along a road. These birds of prey have huge ranges, stretching from the wilds of Canada all the way to the diverse landscapes of Mexico.
Everywhere you look – plains, forests, deserts, and cities – you’ll spot them hanging out, hunting, or just riding air currents. Even though they’re the most frequently reported hawk on eBird with millions of sightings, only a handful of scientists dig into their lives.
The Red-tailed Hawk is super common, and maybe because you see them everywhere, people think there’s nothing new to learn about them. Very little focused research has been done. It’s almost like they’re hiding in plain sight.
Most scientific funding goes to rare or endangered raptors. That means birds like the Red-tailed Hawk, which seem to be doing fine, don’t get as much attention.
Some recent data have hinted at small declines in their numbers in parts of the United States and Canada. More research could help figure out if these decreases are temporary or if something big is shifting in their world.
Red-tailed Hawk Range and Subspecies
You get to see Red-tailed Hawks almost everywhere in North America, but did you know they’re actually split into many subspecies? Scientists have identified sixteen different types.
Each subspecies has its own look, with differences in size, color, and markings. Here’s a simple table of some well-known subspecies:
| Subspecies Name | Regular Range | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Red-tailed (borealis) | Southern Alberta to the Maritimes, south to Texas and Florida | Single color form, common “belly band” |
| abieticola | Southern/Central Canada (boreal forest) | Darker markings, strong belly band |
| calurus | Western North America to northern Mexico | Many color forms (dark, rufous, light) |
| Krider’s Hawk (kriderii) | Northern Great Plains | Pale, faint belly band, pale head |
| Fuertes’s Hawk (fuertesi) | West Texas to northern Mexico | Very white chest and belly |
| Harlan’s Hawk (harlani) | Northern BC, Yukon, Alaska | Very dark, white streaks, tail is not red |
Each subspecies is adapted to the area it lives in. One of the most interesting is Harlan’s Hawk, found way up north.
This bird almost looks like it belongs to a different species, with super dark feathers and a wild, mixed-color tail that doesn’t match the usual red. If you saw one flying above, you might not even guess it’s a Red-tailed Hawk.
Scientists argued for years about whether it should count as its own species. The debate still pops up sometimes.
Why Are Common Hawks Still So Mysterious?
It seems strange, but being everywhere might actually make the Red-tailed Hawk more of a mystery. People just assume that common birds don’t have as many secrets.
For scientists, those birds become “background noise.” Yet, studying the common raptor is just as important as focusing on rare species.
If you know a lot about a species when things are going well, you’ll recognize when something is going wrong much sooner. Red-tailed Hawks live in all sorts of habitats.
They adapt to new places and even do well around people and urban areas. That’s probably why so many people see them and report their sightings online.
You can’t assume their populations are 100% secure, since trends can change fast. Surprises happen, even with birds you see every day.
Their Migration Habits Are a Puzzle
Migration adds another layer of complexity. Some Red-tailed Hawks travel long distances, gliding on thermals and wind currents to reach warmer places.
Others – especially some western types – stick to their home turf year-round. The pattern depends on which subspecies you’re looking at, but it can be hard to follow without close study.
For example, Harlan’s Hawks migrate from northern forests down into the central United States. Krider’s Hawks move south when it gets cold.
What Makes This Raptor so Adaptable?
Here are some reasons you see Red-tailed Hawks almost everywhere:
- Varied diet: They eat rodents, rabbits, reptiles, and sometimes birds.
- Flexible nesting spots: They build nests in trees, cliffs, or even on city buildings.
- Good at soaring: Their broad wings make them great at gliding for long periods.
- Urban survivors: Not all birds of prey do well near people, but Red-tailed Hawks can.
If you want to dig deeper into Red-tailed Hawk appearance, range, and lifestyle, check out this Audubon field guide overview and read about their unique traits and adaptations.
To Catch a Hawk
Trying to catch a hawk isn’t as easy as it might sound. You need the right permits, the right equipment, and a lot of patience.
Most of the time, you’ll use a baited trap like a wire cage with food inside. The goal is to set the trap where the hawk will see it.
This usually means scanning roads for perched hawks, then quickly putting the trap out in the open. Red-tailed Hawks are intelligent and cautious.
You have to act fast and quiet. When you see a hawk on a pole or tree by the side of the road, you want to position the trap in its line of sight.
Sometimes the bird swoops down right away. Other times, it ignores your bait or even figures out the trap and avoids it.
A lot depends on how hungry and curious the hawk is, and also on the weather and what’s happening in the area. In places like open plains or farm fields, you are more likely to find hawks perching close to the road, which makes trapping easier.
If you’re on wooded back roads or places with lots of shrubs, it’s harder. The trees and brush give the hawk more places to hide and perch far from where you can place the trap.
It takes practice to predict where a hawk will land or hunt. Every attempt gives you experience, but no two days are ever the same.
Tools and Tactics
Here’s a quick table showing some things you need to catch a hawk:
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Weighted wire trap | Contains food to attract the hawk |
| Bait (like rodents or rabbits) | Lures the hawk with a food source |
| Permits | Legal requirement to trap birds of prey |
| Binoculars | Helps you spot hawks from a distance |
| Car or vehicle | Lets you cover large distances quickly |
The trap most people use is called a bal-chatri trap. It’s a small wire cage, weighted so it doesn’t blow away, with food like a mouse or small rabbit inside.
These animals are common prey for Red-tailed Hawks. The wire loops on top of the trap gently catch the hawk’s toes when it lands to try to grab the bait.
It’s important that the bait is safe and healthy, both for the hawk and for ethical reasons. Using a dead or live rodent or rabbit gives a much better chance of attracting a hawk since these are main food items for them in the wild.
Attracting the Hawk
Hawks are always looking for their next meal, and rodents and rabbits are high on their list. If you use the right bait, like a realistic-looking rodent, the hawk is more likely to drop down to investigate.
Weather can play a big part, too. On windy or rainy days, hawks might stay perched longer or be more careful before flying down.
Sometimes you’ll see a hawk do a slow glide from its perch, checking out the bait. The bird might change its mind and fly away at the last second.
This can happen over and over before you finally manage a catch. You need to keep your cool and not get frustrated if things don’t go your way right away.
If you live in an area with lots of open ground and utility poles, you have an advantage. Hawks like to perch on these poles as they search for prey in grasslands and fields.
These spots also make it easier for you to spot them from your vehicle. That’s just how it goes sometimes.
How Hawks React to Traps
Red-tailed Hawks are good at noticing new things. Sometimes, especially older or more experienced birds, they will see something out of the ordinary – like a shiny trap on the ground – and avoid it.
Younger hawks might be more likely to take the risk, which is why a lot of trapped hawks are juveniles. It may take several tries in different spots before the hawk even notices your trap.
Patience is key. If a hawk snatches the bait but escapes, you should check your trap and make sure everything is reset safely.
Catching Hawks for Falconry
Falconry goes way back. People train birds of prey, like Red-tailed Hawks, to hunt alongside them.
If you want to try falconry, you’ll have to follow strict rules. You need real training and a permit before you even think about catching a hawk.
Most falconers trap young hawks – called passage birds – in the fall. These young hawks are easier to train and usually do better with a little help through their first winter.
Catching a hawk for falconry feels a lot like research trapping. You use a baited, humane trap and need to move quickly and carefully.
Once you catch the hawk, handle it gently so you don’t hurt or stress it. You can’t just keep a hawk as a pet; you have to follow your country’s or state’s falconry laws.
Falconers often look for hawks in places full of small animals like rabbits and rodents. These spots give the bird plenty of chances to hunt and eat what it’s used to.
Want to see how it’s done? Check out step-by-step guides like My Bird Garden or watch a real trapping session at the Wildlife Command Center.
Red-Tailed Hawks and Food
Red-tailed Hawks mostly eat small mammals – rodents and rabbits are big favorites. That’s why you use them as bait when you’re trying to catch a hawk.
Out in the wild, a hawk might sit on a pole for hours, waiting for a mouse or rabbit to make a move. Their eyesight is wild – they spot even tiny movements from way up high.
Here’s a quick list of bait that works well:
- Field mice
- Voles
- Young rabbits
- Small rats
- Quail (not as common, but still used sometimes)
It helps to bring a few types of bait, since some hawks are picky. Make sure whatever you use is legal and humane for both the prey and the hawk.
Nesting and Territory
If you’re out trying to catch hawks, you might spot signs of nesting. In spring, Red-tailed Hawks start building big stick nests in tall trees, on cliffs, or even cell towers.
Nesting pairs get pretty defensive about their area. If you put a trap too close to a nest, the hawks might swoop and call but never land.
It’s smarter to trap away from active nests. Nobody wants to mess with nesting birds during a sensitive time.
Red-tailed Hawks carry grass, bark, and leafy twigs to their nests with their strong talons. They use the same nest year after year, adding new stuff each season.
If you’re lucky, you’ll see both the male and female working on the nest together.
Using Technology
These days, more people use technology to help study hawks. After catching a hawk, you might fit it with a small GPS transmitter.
This lets researchers track the hawk’s movements after it’s released. The data helps answer questions about where hawks breed, hunt, or migrate.
Tracking has even revealed secret routes and new breeding spots. Some hawks that winter in the Midwest travel thousands of miles northwest in spring, ending up in places like British Columbia or Alaska. Who would’ve guessed?
Challenges and Surprises
Some days, you might try over and over to catch a certain hawk and get nowhere. Some birds just aren’t interested in your bait, or they’re too smart for traps.
It’s not unusual to see the same hawk swoop down, then pull away at the last second. If you finally catch a tricky hawk, it feels like a real win – especially if it’s a rare color type, like a dark-morph Red-tailed Hawk.
These special birds aren’t just cool to look at. They can help answer science questions about where different hawks come from and where they breed.
Quick Tips for Catching a Hawk
- Have your permits and paperwork ready to go.
- Use fresh, legal bait like rodents or rabbits.
- Put your trap where the hawk can see it easily.
- Stay in your car and keep still so you don’t spook the bird.
- Watch for nests, and don’t disturb nesting birds.
- Be patient – this takes time and effort.
- Know the falconry rules in your area before you start.
Wildlife Observation and Safety
Trying to catch hawks gives you a front-row seat to all kinds of wildlife, especially out in open fields and at the forest’s edge. Larks, blackbirds, and grackles show up early in spring.
You might see a hawk building a nest or soaring high over green fields. Always respect wildlife and try not to stress out nesting birds.
Hawks are powerful hunters, but they’re also shy and sensitive. Whether you’re catching them for research, falconry, or just watching from a distance, treat them with care and respect.
A Peek Into Hawk Behavior
Red-tailed Hawks have patience and sharp eyes. Watch them long enough, and you’ll see how they use tall perches to scan for prey.
They like wide, open spaces where it’s easier to catch a running rabbit or mouse. Even the slightest twitch in the grass can get their attention.
Rodents make up a huge part of their diet. That’s why you spot so many hawks near farms and grassy fields, where mice and voles are everywhere.
Sometimes, you’ll see a hawk sitting still for ages, then suddenly dive with crazy speed and accuracy. No wonder they’re a favorite for falconry – they’ve got great instincts and quick moves.
Check out guides like All About Birds if you want to dive deeper into Red-tailed Hawk habitats and behaviors.
Taking a Closer Look at Red-tailed Hawk Types
Once you start looking closely at Red-tailed Hawks, things get complicated fast. You might think every hawk fits neatly into a subspecies, but it’s not that simple.
Experts spend a lot of time trying to sort these birds, but the lines are often blurry. There’s always debate about what they really look like.
People toss around words like “phenotype,” which is just a fancy way to say what you see – feather color, body shape, patterns. Sometimes you spot a bird that looks like a borealis Red-tail, but it also has features of a calurus. Some even joke about a “harlani thing” or a hawk that’s “abieticola-ish.”
It shows how tough it is to put every bird in a single box. The Red-tailed Hawk comes in so many looks – light, dark, and everything in between. Even experts get stumped sometimes.
Researchers in the Great Lakes tagged several light- and dark-morph hawks to try and figure out where they go and how they fit into the bigger Red-tail family.
Here’s a table comparing a few types by location and appearance:
| Subspecies / Type | Usual Location | Common Traits |
|---|---|---|
| borealis | Eastern North America | Light belly, red tail, pale chest |
| calurus | Western North America | Wide color range (light to very dark) |
| harlani | Alaska/Yukon | Often dark, white streaks |
| abieticola | Boreal Canada/North US | Dark belly band, intermediate shades |
Genetics makes the story even wilder. Recent DNA studies show some birds are closer relatives than you’d ever guess just by looks or location.
For example, the Rufous-tailed Hawk from southern South America is actually a Red-tailed Hawk, and it’s even more closely related to calurus in the west than to some hawks in the east. That’s a huge leap across distance and really changes what people thought about these relationships.
You might expect all this info would let scientists sort red-tails into neat groups. But nature doesn’t care much about our labels. Scientists are realizing it’s better not to get stuck on strict subspecies borders.
Genetics, migration, and change over time mean there’s a lot of overlap. You can read more about this from the Red-tailed Hawk Project or see how genomics is untangling the red-tail family at All About Birds.
So, when you spot a Red-tailed Hawk, you’re seeing a bird with a complicated family story. Their features and DNA tell us about journeys, migrations, and surprises hiding in plain sight.
There’s still a lot to figure out. Each sighting or feather sample adds another piece to the puzzle. If you like puzzles, Red-tailed Hawks will keep you guessing for a long time.
Tracking Hawks, Tracing Genes
Red-tailed Hawks perch on power lines and soar over open fields, but in science, they’re kind of overlooked. For every study on Red-tails, there are tons more about flashier birds like the Peregrine Falcon.
You might see Red-tails all the time, but finding deep science about them isn’t easy. Now, though, there’s a growing effort to connect how these hawks live and move with what’s happening in their DNA.
Scientists are tracking hawks and mapping their genes at the same time. This mix of classic fieldwork and new tech is giving us a fresh look at a bird we thought we already knew.
Blending Movement with DNA
Picture this: you’re out by the road, eyes on the telephone wires for a streak of brown and red. That’s how researchers get started, too.
After the hawk is gently trapped, a lot more happens. First, the scientists use simple tools like bands and measuring tapes.
The hawk gets a numbered metal band and a colored plastic one. These bands are big enough for people to read from a distance.
Here’s a quick list of steps these researchers follow whenever they catch a hawk:
- Cover the hawk’s head with a soft hood to keep it calm.
- Place the hawk in a gentle cloth wrap so it can’t hurt itself or anyone else.
- Measure the bird’s wing, tail, and body length.
- Weigh it to estimate if it’s a male or female (later checked with a blood test).
- Snap a series of photos from all possible angles.
- Take a tiny blood sample for genetic analysis.
- Record everything – band number, measurements, photos, and a few notes on behavior.
Those photos do more than fill a scrapbook. With each pose – the wings out, tail spread, feathers flat or fluffed – researchers can study how a hawk’s color and pattern can change from bird to bird.
If you’ve ever noticed local red-tails that look just a little different, it’s not your imagination. The variety is real, and now it’s measurable.
The blood sample is where the gene-tracking comes in. With a vial of buffer solution and a few drops from a wing vein, scientists launch a new genetic detective story.
Back in the lab, techs use this blood to map out where in North America this bird fits in. They figure out how it’s related to all the other hawks they’ve tracked and sampled.
Large-Scale Collaboration and Big Data
This isn’t just one or two people doing old-school bird banding. There’s a big team at work, all sharing data and methods so you end up with a pile of information that’s bigger and richer than anything from the past.
The team draws together experts from many backgrounds. Some are focused on genetics, some are raptor ecologists, and others are skilled at fieldwork and photography.
Here’s how this massive approach makes the research stronger:
| Fieldwork | Genetics | Data Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Catching, banding, measuring, and photographing hawks | Extracting and reading DNA from blood samples | Sorting through thousands of data points: movements, photos, genetics, maps |
| Observing migration in different seasons | Finding out what genetic groups exist and how they mix | Finding out how migration patterns and genes connect across regions |
New patterns start to show up when you link all this together. For example, you might learn that some hawks who look almost identical are carrying quite different genetics – maybe they grew up hundreds of miles apart before ending up in the same location.
Or, some birds are full-time residents while their close relatives take cross-country journeys every year.
If you want to see how big this project is and all the partners involved, check out the Red-tailed Hawk Project page. This collaboration stretches coast to coast and brings in institutions like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Real-Life Fieldwork: Capturing and Releasing a Red-tail
If you’ve ever wondered how it feels to be out in the field, here’s a snapshot you can picture. After a whole day of chasing feisty hawks up and down back roads, sometimes you get skunked – no hawks in the trap.
But every so often, you get lucky. A hawk turns up on a wire; the trap is set, and before you know it, the bird is under a gentle cloth, calm while scientists get to work.
This isn’t a zoo or a fancy lab. It’s often a local road, a parked car, and a portable background for photos.
The tools are simple but the results are powerful.
Steps you’d see in the field:
- Spot a hawk (often perched high for a better hunting view).
- Set the trap – a safe, padded device meant only to capture, not injure.
- Once caught, the bird is handled carefully and quickly.
- Every bit of data gets logged – each measurement, each feather detail, even the time and location.
- The bird is released exactly where it was caught, free to continue its day.
Over time, hundreds of these “pieces” combine to help everyone understand how each bird ties into the larger map – who its relatives are, where it could travel, and what genetic stories it brings to the group.
You can read more about these efforts and see real migration data in projects like those using GPS backpacks on red-tails.
Why Red-tailed Hawks Matter for Science Right Now
For years, you might have seen Red-tailed Hawks as just a familiar roadside bird. So why should scientists focus so much effort on this one species?
The answer has to do with how varied and adaptable these birds are. Some red-tails migrate long distances; others stick around their birthplaces year-round.
This isn’t just random. Each population picks strategies based on weather, food, and even city sprawl.
Researchers are eager to see how these patterns change as the environment shifts. If you care about how birds might handle climate change in the future, Red-tailed Hawks are the perfect “test case.”
They live all over, deal with all kinds of situations, and can show you what flexibility really looks like.
Meet the Writer Behind These Discoveries
Learn About the Person Writing This
Scott Weidensaul, the person sharing these stories, isn’t just a writer. He’s a researcher chasing birds across wild places, from hummingbirds to owls and migratory species that travel huge distances.
His latest book, A World on the Wing, digs deep into these journeys and the science behind bird migration. If you’re curious about how migration research works or what it’s like to spend your days tracking birds, Scott brings the view from both the field and the page.
His experiences connect readers like you to discoveries that might otherwise go unnoticed. He makes the science behind flight patterns and genetics something everyone can appreciate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sounds do red-tailed hawks usually make?
Red-tailed hawks often make a high-pitched screech that you might recognize from movies or TV shows. Their call is sharp and raspy and can sound like “kee-eeeee-arr.”
You’ll most likely hear them calling while they fly or when they’re protecting their territory.
How large do red-tailed hawks grow?
Adult red-tailed hawks can seem impressive in size. These birds usually have a wingspan between 3.5 and 4.8 feet (about 110 to 145 centimeters).
Most weigh between 2 and 4 pounds, but females are typically a bit bigger than males. For more details, check out this overview on All About Birds.
What should you know about young red-tailed hawks?
Baby red-tailed hawks are called eyases. They hatch with fluffy, white down and stay in the nest for several weeks.
Their parents bring them food and protect them until they learn to fly and hunt on their own.
How can you spot a red-tailed hawk?
Some features make red-tailed hawks easy to pick out. Look for broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail that is usually rusty red in adults.
They often perch high up on poles or tree branches, scanning for their next meal. Their belly bands – dark streaks across a pale chest – are helpful when trying to identify them.
What does it mean if you find a red-tailed hawk feather?
Finding a red-tailed hawk feather can feel special. Many people see it as a sign of good luck or a connection to nature.
However, keep in mind that in the United States, it’s not legal to keep hawk feathers due to wildlife protection laws.
Where do red-tailed hawks usually live?
You can spot red-tailed hawks all over North America. They show up in all sorts of places, honestly.
These birds love open spaces like fields and deserts. Sometimes, you’ll even see them hanging out in city parks.
Red-tailed hawks often perch on roadside poles. Other times, they soar in big circles above the ground, always searching for their next meal.
If you’re curious about their habits, Avian Bliss has more details.
