Red-tailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk is a robust, broad-winged soaring raptor characterized by its brick-red tail in adults, broad rounded wings, and pale chest with a streaked belly band. It is one of the most frequently seen hawks in North America.

Distinctive dark brown and white alternating transverse bands or bars along the length of the feather against a lighter brownish-grey background

Pennaceous vane with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, firm and intact condition

Stiff, smooth, and matte surface texture designed to withstand strong airflow during flight

Clear alternating dark brown and white barring pattern across a broad vane with a sturdy, pale rachis

Extremely adaptable, found in deserts, scrublands, urban areas, grasslands, and agricultural fields

Widespread throughout North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada down through Central America and the Caribbean

Apex avian predator that helps regulate populations of small mammals, rodents, and reptiles, acting as a crucial indicator of environmental health

Cooper's Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, and Rough-legged Hawk, which can be distinguished by specific bar width and coloration nuances

Red-tailed hawks have exceptional vision, estimated to be about eight times sharper than human vision, allowing them to spot small rodents from high in the sky

Good overall condition with minor wear at the very base and slight fraying on lower barbs