RED-TAILED HAWK

Buteo jamaicensis

IDENTIFICATION:  The red-tailed hawk is Florida's largest hawk.  Their wingspan averages 50 inches and they are almost 2 feet tall.  They are dark brown above, and the chest and under side of the wings are light colored with brown streaks.  Their tail is a deep reddish brown color.

RANGE AND HABITAT:  They are found throughout the entire continental United States, northern Alaska and most of Canada.  Their southern range extends down to Nicaragua.  They can survive in just about any type of habitat, but they prefer mixed country of fields and wooded areas.  They are found in the uplands of Florida.

REPRODUCTION:  The breeding season in Florida lasts from February to June.  Red-tailed hawks normally lay 2-3 eggs that incubate in about a month.  The young usually fledge in 45 days.

DIET:  Red-tailed hawks prefer to hunt in open areas.  The largest part of their diet is rodents.  They will also eat other animals like snakes,    lizards, and insects.

FUTURE:  Red-tailed hawks are very widespread and adapt well to many different environments.  Like all birds of prey, they are highly protected.  It is illegal to hunt or disturb them in any way, keep them as a pet, or even keep their feathers!

RED-TAILED HAWK

            This red-tailed hawk is the newest addition to the Audubon Aviary.  It was injured in Lake County, Florida and brought to the Florida Audubon Bird of Prey Center in Orlando.  It was shot and so part of its wing had to be amputated.  We brought it to the Center in September of 1999.

            Our red-tailed hawk is fed pre-killed rats and chicks since it would not be able to catch food if it was alive.  Currently, he is fed on a big rock in the center of his cage.  We add vitamins to his food daily.

            The red-tailed hawk spends most of its day perched, much as it would in the wild.  Even though this hawk cannot fly it is able to hop well and manages to visit every perch in its cage.  It especially likes to sit on top of the high post towards the back of its cage.  It is the only bird in our Aviary that requires beak trimming (called coping) every month.  It grows a very long beak and talons that would wear down normally in the wild through hunting and feeding activities.  This bird’s beak and talons have probably always quickly grown, but now that it is in captivity it can’t wear them down enough without our help.  This red-tail is a very dark color and this generally indicates it is from the north.  Florida red-tails tend to be much lighter in color.

            It is not trained for educational programs, but is always at the aviary for visitors to view.

The red-tailed hawk’s adoptive parents may visit it any day of the year, except major holidays.  The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sunday.