Red-Tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawks are probably the most common hawk in North America and can often be seen on long car rides almost anywhere. They are often seen soaring above open fields, turning circles on their broad, rounded wings, or perched atop telephone poles with their eyes fixed on the ground to catch the movements of a vole or rabbit, or waiting out cold weather before climbing a thermal updraft into the sky. The Red-tailed Hawk has a thrilling, raspy scream, and the shrill cry heard in movies whenever a hawk or eagle appears onscreen is almost always that of a Red-tailed Hawk. Males measure 18-22 inches long, have a wingspan of 45-52 inches, and weigh 1 pound 9 ounces to 2 pounds 14 ounces, while females measure 20-26 inches long, have a wingspan of 45-52 inches, and weigh 1 pound 14 ounces to 3 pounds 4 ounces.

Tennessee · United States