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Size and Weight: Length 55 cm (22 inches). Wingspan may
exceed 4 feet in western females (females are usually 1/3 larger
than males). Birds weigh 900-1500 gms (2- 3.3 lbs).
Diet: Diet consists of small rodents and rabbits, reptiles
and amphibians and some ground birds. Red-tailed hawks are not
fast fliers and generally have difficulty catching birds. However,
some become competent bird hunters when rodents and rabbits become
scarce. They also catch some large insects but seem to rarely
feed them to their young. Red-tailed hawks are often undeservedly
called "chicken-hawks," though very few chase and kill
chickens.
Habitat and Distribution: In summer Red-tailed hawks are
found throughout most of North America. Their preferred habitat
is well grown forest mixed with large burn areas, natural meadows
or prairies, or agricultural land. They avoid dense forests. Red-tailed
hawks are partial migrants, withdrawing to the southern half of
their range in winter.
Status in the Wild: Red-tailed hawk populations seem
to be stable and increasing in some areas due to development
which has created open space. A high percentage of deaths that
are attributed to humans are shooting deaths. They also suffer
from collisions with power lines and cars.
Status in Captivity: Despite their abundance in the wild,
Red-tailed hawks are not commonly bred in captivity as space is
reserved for more endangered species. Many in captivity are injured
and non-flighted, therefore non-releasable. Most of the birds
flown by falconers are wild caught as eyas or passage birds on
migration.
Habits and Adaptations: A very conspicuous large hawk,
the Red-tailed hawk is often seen perched on power poles, fence
poles or snags, or soaring with little effort in wide circles
in the air. From a high soar they may reach speeds of up to 120
mph in a steep dive. If the wind conditions are suitable, Red-tailed
hawks may be seen hovering for short periods of time.
Breeding and Maturation: Red-tailed hawks are generally
considered mature (old enough to breed) in their third year. Stick
nests are constructed quickly in mature trees and are often used
year after year, reaching up to 28-30 inches across. Nesting time
varies considerably within the Red-tailed hawk's range. Typically
in Minnesota, 1-4 eggs are laid by early April and incubated for
about 30 days. Both birds incubate the eggs and are shy when breeding,
sometimes deserting the nest if disturbed. After approximately
six weeks the young leave the nest. Adequate perches and nest
sites are vital to nest success.
Lifespan: If they live through their first year of life
a wild Red-tailed hawk can live into its teens or twenties.
Juvenile mortality rate is as high as 73% (Weidensaul, 1996).
The longevity record for a wild Red-tailed hawk is 23 years
and 29 years for a captive individual.
Bibliography
Bent, A. 1961. Life Histories of North American Birds of Prey:
Hawks, Falcons, Caracaras, Owls. Part 2. Dover Publications, Inc.
New York.
Brown, Leslie and Amadon, Dean. 1968. Eagles, Hawks and Falcons
of the World. Volumes 1 & 2. Country Life Books. Great Britain.
Burton, P. 1991. American Nature Guides. Gallery Books, New York.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Field Guide to Birds of North
America, 2nd ed. National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.
Weidensaul, Scott. 1996. Raptors: The birds of prey. Lyons and
Burford, Publishers. New York.
Photo: by Lawrence Pieruccioni for the Minnesota Zoo
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