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Raptors
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
The red-tailed hawk is a bird of prey and one of the most common hawks in North America. In the United States, it is one of three species colloquially known as the "chickenhawk".
Bulky hawk, pale below with a dark belly band; adults have a rusty red tail.
- Scientific name
- Buteo jamaicensis
- Group
- Raptors
- Main color
- Brown
- Conservation (IUCN)
- Least concern
Size and shape
Males can reportedly measure 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 in) in total length, females measuring 48 to 65 cm (19 to 26 in) long.
Diet
Since red-tailed hawks are relatively specialized feeders, they harbor fewer helminth parasitic worms than species like the broad-winged hawk, which have a wider diet.
Range and habitat
It breeds from central Alaska, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories east to southern Quebec and the Maritime Provinces of Canada, and south to Florida, the West Indies, and Central America.
Voice
Adults are usually easy to identify by their red tails that end in a single black band.
More photos
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Red-tailed Hawk FAQ
How big is the Red-tailed Hawk?
Males can reportedly measure 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 in) in total length, females measuring 48 to 65 cm (19 to 26 in) long.
What does the Red-tailed Hawk eat?
Since red-tailed hawks are relatively specialized feeders, they harbor fewer helminth parasitic worms than species like the broad-winged hawk, which have a wider diet.
How do I identify a Red-tailed Hawk?
Bulky hawk, pale below with a dark belly band; adults have a rusty red tail.
Where does the Red-tailed Hawk live?
It breeds from central Alaska, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories east to southern Quebec and the Maritime Provinces of Canada, and south to Florida, the West Indies, and Central America.
Is the Red-tailed Hawk endangered?
No. The IUCN Red List rates the Red-tailed Hawk as least concern (status read from Wikidata).
Facts on this page are summarized from the Wikipedia article on the Red-tailed Hawk (read October 27, 2026) and conservation status from Wikidata. Quick ID notes are Birdstagram's own summary.