BIOMES KEY

Animal List

Red-tailed hawk

Buteo jamaicencis

General Information The red-tailed hawk has a powerful thick-set body. It has broad wings with rounded tips. The average wingspan is 48 inches or 4 feet. The soles of its feet have roughened bulging pads that make it easier to grab its prey. The average length of a red-tailed hawk is about 18 to 24 inches. The tail is broad and fanned and is uniformly colored. It is reddish above, and pink below ( Note the sketch to the left. ). Females are usually larger than the males. The red-tailed hawk is found in North America, South America, and the West Indies. Some of its favorite foods are snakes, lizards mice, birds and insects. The male can attract a female by giving her presents such as twigs. When she lays eggs, she lays from 1 to 4 eggs. Incubation time is 28 to 32 days long. The young birds can feed themselves in 4 to 5 weeks.

Zoo Observations The red-tailed hawk was not in the zoo this particular season, so we didn't get a viewing of it.

Niche/Habitat The red-tailed hawk's habitat is forests and meadow areas. But its homes are being cut down. Save the forests and save this beautiful bird's home.

Adaptations Some adaptations made by the red-tailed hawk are moving from place to place. With the constant obliteration of our forests this is important.

Food Web

Environmental Change An environmental change for the red-tailed hawk is that people are cutting down forests for firewood and furniture and paper. By cutting down their homes, we are placing difficulties on this species.

References Audubon's Birds of America. New York: Macmillan Co., 1950. Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing, 1984. Macmillan Illustrated Animal Encyclopedia. New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1984.