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Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensis
Family: Accipitridae Order: Falconiformes Class: Aves
DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND SEASONALITY
Brown, L., and D. Amadon. 1968. Eagles, hawks and falcons of the world. 2 Vols. Country Life Books, London. 945pp.
Call, M. W. 1978. Nesting habits and survey techniques for common western raptors. U. S. Dep. Inter., Bur. Land Manage., Portland, OR. Tech. Note No. 316. 115pp.
Craighead, J. J., and F. C. Craighead, Jr. 1956. Hawks, owls and wildlife. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA. 443pp.
Fitch, H. S., R. Swenson, and D. F. Tillotson. 1946. Behavior and food habits of the redtailed hawk. Condor 48:205-237.
Gates, J. M. 1972. Red-tailed hawk populations and ecology in east-central Wisconsin. Wilson Bull. 84:421-433.
Jackman, S. M., and J. M. Scott. 1975. Literature review of twenty three selected forest birds of the Pacific Northwest. U.S. Dep. Agric., For. Serv., Reg. 6, Portland OR. 382pp.
Luttich, S. N., L. B. Keith, and J. D. Stephenson. 1971. Population dynamics of the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) at Rochester, Alberta. Auk 88:75-87.
Maser, C., B. R. Mate, J. F. Franklin, and C. T. Dyrness. 1981. Natural history of Oregon coast mammals. U.S. Dep. Agric., Pac. Northwest For. and Range Exper. Sta., Portland. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-133. 496pp.
Orians, G. H., and F. Kuhlman. 1956. Red-tailed hawk and horned owl populations in Wisconsin. Condor 58:371-385.
Wiley, J. W. 1975a. The nesting and reproductive success of red-tailed hawks and redshouldered hawks in Orange County, California, 1973. Condor 77:133-139.
Wiley, J. W. 1975b. Relationships of nesting hawks with great horned owl. Auk 92:157-159.
> Red-tailed Hawk Picture Slideshow <
The Red-tailed Hawk is a raptor.
For more information on raptors, click here.
Also see > Birds: Carnivore: Predators: Diurnal
In the courtship display a pair of Red-tailed Hawks soars in wide circles at a great height. The male dives down in a steep drop, then shoots up again at nearly as steep an angle. He repeats this maneuver several times, then approaches the female from above. He extends his legs and touches or grasps her briefly. The pair may grab onto one other and may interlock their talons and spiral toward the ground.
When courting, a pair of Red-tailed Hawks soar in wide circles high above the ground. The male will dive, then shoot up again. After repaeting this maneuver several times, he will approach the female from above. He will extend his legs and touch or grasp her briefly. They may grab onto each other, interlocking their talons and spiraling to the ground.