Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis · Species of bird
Order
Accipitriformes
Codes
rethaw, RTHA

About the Red-tailed Hawk

The red-tailed hawk is a bird of prey and one of the most common hawks in North America. In the United States, it is one of three species colloquially known as the "chickenhawk". The red-tailed hawk breeds throughout most of the continent, from western Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies. The red-tailed hawk occupies a wide range of habitats and altitudes, including deserts, grasslands, coniferous and deciduous forests, agricultural fields, and urban areas. It is absent in areas of unbroken forest and in the high arctic. It is legally protected in Canada, Mexico, and the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderAccipitriformes
FamilyHawks, Eagles, and Kites (Accipitridae)
SpeciesButeo jamaicensis
Species Codesrethaw, RTHA

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the Red-tailed Hawk belong to?

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) belongs to the Hawks, Eagles, and Kites family (Accipitridae), in the order Accipitriformes.

How can I identify the Red-tailed Hawk?

The red-tailed hawk is a bird of prey and one of the most common hawks in North America. In the United States, it is one of three species colloquially known as the \"chickenhawk\". The red-tailed hawk breeds throughout most of the continent, from western Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as P...

Where can I report a Red-tailed Hawk sighting?

You can log sightings of Red-tailed Hawk on eBird (ebird.org) using species code rethaw, or on iNaturalist.