Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Vagrant to Ivvavik 3
This species is considered a vagrant to Ivvavik National Park, meaning that it is very rarely seen. We would greatly appreciate information on this hawk. If you see this species, please take a picture and upload it to iNaturalist or send it to us at yukoncdc@gov.yk.ca.
Summary 4
A large (48.3-63.5cm/19-25in) hawk, the Red-tailed Hawk is most easily identified by its dark brown back, pale underparts, and rusty-red tail visible from above or below. In some parts of this species’ range, exceptionally light or dark subspecies occur, having more or less pigment in the back, breast, and tail than the nominative subspecies. Males and females are similarly-plumaged in all seasons; however, like most species of raptors, females are larger than males.
The Red-tailed Hawk breeds from Alaska and northern Canada south through the United States, the West Indies, Mexico, and parts of Central America. In winter, northerly-breeding populations migrate south to the southern half of the U.S.Southerly-breeding populations migrate short distances, if at all. Red-tailed Hawks are birds of semi-open country. This species inhabits open woodland, shrubby fields, and even urban areas where food is plentiful. They primarily eat small mammals, including lemmings, mice, and voles, but may eat small birds and reptiles when the opportunity presents itself.
Red-tailed Hawks are most easily seen soaring over open habitat while scanning the ground for prey, dropping down to capture it with their talons. With the aid of binoculars, it may also be possible to see individual Red-tailed Hawks perching in trees or tall posts near their hunting grounds.
Sources and Credits
- (c) sarbhloh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/29452402@N07/2939911664
- (c) David Illig, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/primeval/5563047206/
- (c) Yukon Conservation Data Centre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
- Adapted by Yukon Conservation Data Centre from a work by (c) Unknown, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/22710035
More Info
Range Map
iNaturalist.ca Map
| Bird | raptor |
|---|---|
| Animal | Bird |
| Color | brown, red, white |
