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Wildlife
- Birds - |
Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis) Y |
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RANGE: Breeds from western and central Alaska and central Yukon
to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia south to Central America.
Winters from southern Canada throughout the remainder of the
breeding range.
STATUS: Common, but population is declining.
HABITAT: Inhabits a wide variety of different habitats
throughout its range, preferring mixed country of open pasture,
fields, meadows, or swampy areas interspersed with coniferous or
deciduous woods. Inhabits deserts and plains with scattered
trees and open mountain forests, generally avoiding dense,
unbroken woodlands and tundra.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Strongest nesting habitat
association in pine mixed with white oak, juniper, or mixed
conifer, as well as sagebrush steppe, northeast modified
grassland, and edges of recently cut-over or burnt forest.
NEST: Usually nests in a tall tree in or at the edge of a
woodland, or in an isolated tree in an open area. Frequently
selects the largest and tallest tree (of a wide variety of
species) available. Constructs nest next to the trunk in a
crotch from 35 to 90 feet above ground. In treeless areas, nests
on rocky cliffs, shrubs, or cactus.
FOOD: Frequently hunts for prey while perching in snags, live
trees, or on poles in rather open areas or at forest edges. Also
locates prey while soaring. Primarily eats small mammals; also
eats birds, reptiles, and some insects.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, Austin 1964, Bednarz and
Dinsmore 1982, DeGraff et al. 1980, ECBC 2003, Evans in Farrand
1983a, Fitch et al. 1946, Forbush and May 1955, Heintzelman
1979, Miller 1999, Shunk 2004, Terres 1980. |
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