Red-tailed Hawk (Chicken Hawk, Red-tail)

The Red-tailed Hawk is a large, bulky raptor with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Adults typically display a rich, brick-red upper tail, which gives the species its name, contrasted with brown mottled upperparts and a pale, streaked breast band. They are masters of soaring flight, frequently seen circling high overhead or perched statuesque on roadside utility poles scanning the ground for prey.

Vibrant reddish-brown base color transitioning to white with bold, dark brown to black transverse bars and a prominent wide subterminal dark band near the rounded tip; the underside is paler and more washed out, with a whitish rachis at the base transitioning to a warm yellowish-brown distally

Tightly interlocked pennaceous structure along the distal and middle portions with a small plumulaceous basal tuft; strong barbicels and hooklets creating a firm, resilient vane with no afterfeather

Firm, smooth, and stiff with a matte finish; the leading edge is slightly more rigid than the trailing edge, designed to withstand aerodynamic pressure during flight and perching

Bold dark and light horizontal barring on a reddish-brown or grayish-brown background, terminating in a thick dark subterminal band near the squared-to-rounded tip, with a sturdy yellowish-brown rachis

Extremely adaptable, found in virtually all open country habitats including deserts, scrublands, grasslands, agricultural fields, urban areas, deciduous and coniferous forests, and mountain regions

Widespread across North America from Alaska and northern Canada down through Central America and the Caribbean, ranging from year-round resident populations to seasonal migrants

Acts as an apex avian predator regulating rodent and small mammal populations, serving as a vital biological indicator of ecosystem health and agricultural pest control

Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and Swainson's Hawk; distinguished by the Red-tail's specific broad barring pattern, rusty coloration, and larger relative dimensions compared to smaller accipiters

Red-tailed Hawks have phenomenal eyesight, capable of spotting a mouse from a height of 100 feet; their iconic, raspy scream is frequently used in Hollywood films to sound like any eagle or hawk, regardless of which bird is actually on screen

Good condition with intact barbs, clean vanes, minimal fraying at the tip, and no noticeable fading or structural damage, indicating a relatively fresh molt