Library #34 · D Woodland · Wave 2

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis · Accipitridae

The classic roadside hawk — and the scream Hollywood borrows for eagles.

At a glance

Size: 18–26 in
Wingspan: 3.5–4.8 ft
Habitat: Open country, highways, woodland edges
Diet: Rodents, rabbits, snakes, birds

Range: Nearly all of North America

Nesting: Bulky stick nest high in a tree; reused and refurbished.

Coloring pose idea: Soaring with rufous tail / on fence post

Hear this bird

General call / song: Raspy descending scream: kee-eeee-arr.

Mating / display: Aerial courtship flights with mutual screaming and talon presents.

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Play calls on All About Birds Species overview Audubon field guide

How to know it

Variable; adults often show a brick-red upper tail.
Belly band of streaks; dark leading edge patagial marks on underwing.
Broad wings, short wide tail — a buteo shape.

Behavior

Perch-and-pounce hunter along fields and interstates.
Pairs soar in circles giving raspy kee-eeee-arr.
Nests in tall trees or on cliffs/platforms.

Fun facts

Movie eagle screams are often this species.
Extremely variable plumages across the continent.
One of the most common hawks in North America.

Companion page for the Birds Coloring Calendar series by R. J. D. B. Fact summaries are original educational text or short paraphrases with source links. Call playback via link to All About Birds / Cornell Lab. Re-test QR codes on a phone before final print. Not affiliated with Cornell Lab or Audubon.