Red-tailed Hawk (Red-tail)

The Red-tailed Hawk is a powerful and robust raptor with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail (often russet-red in adults). They are master soarers frequently seen wheeling in wide circles over open fields or perching stoically on roadside telephone poles.

Cream to whitish-grey background with prominent, evenly spaced dark brown or greyish-brown transverse bars (bands) across the vane. The rachis is light tan transitioning to whitish near the base.

Tightly interlocked (pennaceous) vane structure with strong barbicels forming a cohesive surface. Base shows a small amount of plumulaceous (fluffy) downy barbs near the calamus.

Smooth, firm, and matte texture with high rigidity along the vane to withstand aerodynamic forces during flight. Leading edge is stiffer than the trailing edge.

Distinctive dark brown barring against a pale whitish-grey background on a broad, rounded feather shaft with a sturdy, cream-colored rachis.

Extremely adaptable, found in deserts, scrublands, urban areas, agricultural fields, grasslands, coniferous and deciduous woodlands, and tropical rain forests.

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

Acts as an apex avian predator controlling populations of small mammals, rodents, and reptiles, serving as an important indicator of ecosystem health.

Cooper's Hawk or Swainson's Hawk, but distinguished by the broader proportions, specific spacing of the dark transverse bands, and overall size.

Red-tailed Hawks have phenomenal eyesight, capable of spotting a mouse from a distance of 100 feet in the air. Their iconic piercing scream is frequently used in Hollywood films to sound like any eagle or hawk, regardless of which bird is shown.

Good condition, mostly intact barbs with minimal fraying at the edges and no major fault bars or structural breaks.