Red-tailed Hawk (Red-tail)

The Red-tailed Hawk is a large, bulky raptor with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Adults typically feature a rich brown back, pale underparts with a streaked belly band, and a bright brick-red tail. They are masterful soarers, often seen circling high in the sky or perched conspicuously on roadside utility poles.

Dark brownish-gray upper surface with characteristic white mottling and barring near the distal tip. The rachis is whitish to pale tan.

Strongly pennaceous with tightly interlocked barbs and hooked barbules forming a firm, resilient vane. No afterfeather present.

Stiff, smooth, and matte with high rigidity along the rachis and flexible yet strong trailing vanes built for slicing through the air.

Large size, dark brownish-gray coloration with white mottling near the tip, and strong asymmetry with emargination on the outer web.

Extremely adaptable, inhabiting open country, woodlands, deserts, urban areas, agricultural fields, and along highways.

Widespread across North America, from Alaska and northern Canada down through the United States and Central America into the Caribbean.

As apex avian predators, Red-tailed Hawks play a vital role in regulating rodent and small mammal populations, helping maintain ecosystem balance.

Rough-legged Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, and Swainson's Hawk feathers can appear similar, but can be distinguished by specific barring patterns, size variations, and structural details.

Red-tailed Hawks have incredible eyesight, allowing them to spot a mouse from 100 feet in the air. Their famous soaring scream is frequently used in Hollywood films as a generic eagle or hawk sound effect, regardless of which bird is shown on screen.

Good condition with minor wear at the very tip; barbs remain fully intact with no major breaks or fault bars.