Red-tailed Hawk (also known as the Chicken Hawk or Red-tail)

The Red-tailed Hawk is a powerful and robust raptor with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Adults typically feature a rich brown upperpart, pale underparts with a streaked belly band, and the signature rust-red tail that gives the species its common name. They are masters of soaring flight, often seen circling gracefully over open fields and roadways.

Striking pattern featuring a crisp white base merging into rich dark brown and reddish-brown bars and mottling, highlighted by a pale white trailing edge and a stout white/cream-colored central rachis.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous structure with well-developed barbicels and hooklets forming a waterproof, durable vane; minimal downy basal barbules.

Stiff, smooth, and glossy vane surface designed to withstand aerodynamic pressure during soaring and flapping flight.

Bold alternating dark brown and white barring on a broad vane with a stark white background patch and a robust white rachis.

Found in a remarkably diverse array of habitats including deserts, scrublands, coniferous and deciduous forests, agricultural fields, and urban areas, typically featuring open country interspersed with elevated perches.

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

Acts as a top avian apex predator helping to regulate populations of small rodents, rabbits, and reptiles, serving as an important ecological indicator of grassland and woodland health.

Swainson's Hawk and Ferruginous Hawk, but distinguished by the specific banding width, background purity, and overall proportions typical of Buteo jamaicensis.

Red-tailed Hawks have incredible vision, able to spot a mouse from 100 feet in the air. Their famous soaring scream is frequently used in Hollywood films to sound like any eagle or hawk, regardless of which bird is shown on screen.

Excellent condition; appears fresh with clean barbs, intact interlocking structures, and no visible wear, fraying, or parasite damage.