Red Tailed Hawk facts: more familiar than you think | Animal Fact Files

Red tailed hawks are well known in North America where their range spans most of the landmass, however, they should be familiar to people from other places, too - at least in one aspect. These birds have distinct calls.
Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis
Range: North and Central America
Size: 2lbs (907g); 4 foot (1.2m) wingspan
Diet: gophers, rabbits, squirrels, snakes, carrion, etc.
Lifespan: 6+ years
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Image and Video Credits:
Luca Franzini - • Buteo jamaicensis feed...
Falconers of Castilla - • Águila de Cola Roja (b...
freedommusicartist- • Colorado Red-tailed Hawk
Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren - • Red-tailed Hawk and Ba...
Tim Root - • Red Tailed Hawk Scarbo... ; • Great Blue Heron Red T... ; • Red Tailed Hawk Bluffe... ; • Red Tailed Hawk vs Cro... ; • Red Tailed Hawks vs Ma... ; • Red Tailed Hawk Hollis... ; • Red Tailed Hawks Danfo...
Leonard Coleman - • Red Tail Hawk feeding...
g1ll - www.flickr.com/photos/rmgill/...
Rhys A. - www.flickr.com/photos/rhysasp...
brewbooks - www.flickr.com/photos/brewboo...
Martin Jambon - flickr.com/photos/mjambon/613...
Cephas - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Anthony92931 - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Justin Ormont - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Peter K Burian - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Re...
Greg Hume - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Colleen T. O'Rourke,Todd Pitlik,Melissa Hoover,Esteban Fernández-Juricic - journals.plos.org/plosone/art...
Dennis Davenport - vimeo.com/16349402
Lilly's Foods - vimeo.com/390357754
hargissssound - freesound.org/people/hargisss...
craigsmith - freesound.org/people/craigsmi...
Research Credits:
www.google.com/books/edition/...
www.google.com/books/edition/...
www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/a...
www.hbw.com/species/red-taile...
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/R...
www.birdwatching-bliss.com/re...
www.thespruce.com/red-tailed-...
www.audubon.org/magazine/fall...

[@sebastianprimomija8375]

Red Tail Hawk: Eagles Wish they sounded like me.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

#accurate

[@dartharbiter2334]

Bald eagle: makes seagull noises in opposition

[@jshdfgsidfyuug1894]

Eagles sound majestic, but everyone wants them to sound like hawks. Kinda wish people could just appreciate eagles' natural sound, rather than pretending to sound the way we want them to

[@m.n.s.s2825]

@@jshdfgsidfyuug1894 Sorry mate but Eagle doesn't sound like majestic. Their Appearance and Looks are totally different to their voices. It's like most mis matched Look to Tone ever....The Hawk sound is what Eagle is missing to be complete

[@littlewigglemonster7691]

​@@m.n.s.s2825 agreed their calls are not what you'd expect

[@ucumari]

In movies all eagle calls are red tailed hawks, all areas away from civilisation have a loon and every jungle has kookaburras even though these have very specific habitats

[@beccacroce7380]

Some movies like Spirit Stallion of the Cimmarron and Brother Bear do use the right eagle sound.

[@Lamacetus]

Loon calls also occasionally get used for cranes and other birds. If there's a big cat on screen, there is an 80% chance they will either roar like a tiger, leopard, or cougar The sound used for every frog is a pacific tree frog, which ribbits

[@7hotfuzz7]

Every morning we let our cat out to just hang out for a few hours outside. I usually call her in or she's at the door meowing. I saw her sitting by the door but she wasn't making a sound. She looked petrified. I opened the door and she zoomed inside. On the fence maybe 15 ft away was a pretty big red-tailed hawk just staring at her. Poor thing was afraid to make a sound lol

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Ahh that sounds scary for everyone! Except maybe the hawk 👀

[@lrn_news9171]

Red tails might eat a cat lol it's not as uncommon as the guy made it out to be in the video, it's not their preferred prey and cats can fight back pretty hard but red tail's talons can easily kill a cat. They're a powerful bird, they're one of the bigger Buteos (hawks).

[@mikepaul3959]

As a kid in Kansas I spent a lot of time on farm tractors (pre- cabs, air conditioning & radios) so I passed the time watching nature. I got to know individual red tails. One in particular reminded me of a stunt pilot or jet jockey. It would dive, bank, race across the sky only to make a tight u-turn & start over again. It just seemed to love flying - very distinctive from other red tails. Another could never seem to figure how to land in a plowed field. More times than not it would stumble on a clod and fall flat on it's face! Now, 65 years later, I still take rides to the country & watch the hawks for hours.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

That sounds so relaxing ❤

[@heidiangela1298]

You write well. Maybe you can publish about these individuals.

[@PHINGTv]

if you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere

[@Allthingsmarinelife]

I subbed! Nice channel

[@PHINGTv]

@@AllthingsmarinelifeThank you. i will stay with you

[@litghost5427]

I'll drink to that.

[@Dckinggambo_real]

Yeah, even a seagull chugging a whole rabbit.

[@jeromecabral192]

We have one of these birds where I live. They are beautiful. But one thing they are protected

[@davesdrone3125]

Had one of these birds fall injured into one of my horses stalls this morning. Beautiful bird up close, despite seeing it and its mate fly around every day. Called a rescue out to retrieve it, and after a few hours they called back and said it was a bit underweight, dehydrated, but otherwise unhurt. They will bring it back to my property and release it when it is healthy enough to be released.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Oh wow that's such a great experience! So glad to hear the bird is okay and will be released back at home! How exciting!!

[@Porsche996driver]

Good job Dave!

[@Col28]

I sure do love birds, especially birds of prey. Thanks for another excellent video!

[@BryerTheKing1]

Pay attention your spirit animal may be a hawk.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Why do you love animals that kill other animals?

[@Col28]

@@curbozerboomer1773 I have no problem with animals doing what they do naturally. They are part of nature and are behaving accordingly. There's nothing morally wrong with it at all. I can feel sorry for their prey, but all animals have to eat, and many are designed to eat other animals.

[@BryerTheKing1]

My spirit animal

[@chesterpanda]

I’ve noticed birds of prey are like dogs. They stick to an area and claim it. I had a chicken hawk who lived in my yard for 5 years, but has recently passed away during the winter. Now this summer I have red-tail hawk cawing around above a patch of woods instead. Overlooking the fields around it.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

They do seem to be that way! They have territories

[@hueyfreeman2687]

Bald eagle Hollywood voice actor

[@a.phillips6892]

I love them💕💕💕. We have a lot in the South in spring/summer. They are my favorite, and every time I see one it is a blessing from God💓💓💓.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

They're such beautiful creatures

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Oh,right...a blessing from God--who set up this horrible, kill or be killed world we live in.

[@pikminfan6778]

Red-Tailed Hawk: Bald eagles WISH they sounded like me!

[@Allthingsmarinelife]

I love nature and I hope one day I’ll have as many subs as you! Keep up the good work:)

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Thanks so much! Your channel looks like is covers some really fascinating stuff. Keep working hard at it!

[@Allthingsmarinelife]

Animal Fact Files thanks! I’m trying :)

[@markmybirds3695]

1:58 ...unlike eagle beaks, which what?

[@birdtiko]

Hello dear friend, join our channel. Thank you for your support

[@hombreleon]

“Beech Chonkin” 🤷‍♂️

[@chelseavuchinich4859]

Be chonkin 😂

[@t-rexstudioproductions781]

Bald eagles sound so wimpy that movie directors uses red tailed hawk screeches

[@makubegysman6160]

That's like the lion and the tiger's roar

[@David-vo5cz]

Very good video. Great visuals and very informative without any unnecessary filler.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Porsche996driver]

In Lake Forest, Ca, cold and windy today - perfect Hawk weather! About 20 of the Red Tails nest in the eucalyptus trees across the street. Filmed some of their acrobatics today. So beautiful in the sun, they seemed attracted to the lone human staring up at them. Embrace nature and it’s delicate balance….

[@dsant60]

These are wanting my chickens!

[@KatyReminiec9399]

Deborah, Red Tailed Hawks are great for rodent eradication..especially chipmunks You may have a Chicken hawk problem

[@nelson587]

We had two kittens next door that were not being looked after ...One day I heard the birds going off and went outside to see that a Red Tail had gotten one ... It turned into the wind and flew within 10' right by me carrying the kitten.. WOW .... A few day later the same thing happen .. I was ready with my camera and got pictures of the 2nd one being taken ... Awesome sight to behold of this large Red Tail up close ... And before anyone goes off on me on why I didn't stop it ... I'm just a witness to nature in action and understood the Hawk does not make distinction between a rabbit and cat ...

[@chaosspear0195]

I get ya survival of the fittest os the most basic rule of nature the hawks gotta eat and the kitten was just easy pray at the wrong time wrong place only there owner if they had one has the right o deny this.

[@jadenl629]

Great video!😁 These hawks have awesome calls!🤩 Keep up the incredible work AFF!🥰

[@user-fl1ju2ev6h]

I went to a little bbq today at Forsyth Park, Vancouver (Surrey) British Columbia and a little black cat crossed my path to hunt in the grasses and trees of the park, around 11.a.m. on a clear boiling hot day. Around noon, when everyone was guzzling their bbq, I heard above the shrill so familiar to me, but never seen. I was absolutely thrilled to see far above, two red tailed hawks wheeling and circling around, the first time I have ever seen any. Though they were very far above, I could identify not just their shriek but that blunt cut tail and curved feathers on the wing tips. Perhaps they spotted the black cat, or the burgers on the bbq! Anyway, it just made my day. Wunderbar.

[@TheRobertralph]

0:39 I was discing a field and a red tailed hawk swooped down and picked up a snake that had to be 5' long. It flew around whipping it about. I first thought it was just excited and showing off. Later, I realized it was likely trying to kill it so it could land and eat it.

[@Americanbadashh]

I'm the sound of every raptor, feels like the title card under a boss character or a manga chapter. I love it.

[@groundh00g]

I knew the call was a hawk's, of course,so I looked up immediately.At the top of a nearby tree, I saw the movement,Then it's gliding path overhead revealed white belly, black tipped wings and the red tail.Its prolonged flight over the water offered a bolt of joy to my heart. Once it flew away, I ran to the computer to verify my guess at its identity and found your site So auspicious this sighting in the sunshine over beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee a day before my dad's birthday, as it was one of his favorite birds. An homage to Dad's best aspect, his love for the outdoors and God's creatures, especially the red tailed hawk..

[@geoffkelly262]

See these all over, saw one kill a large rat once, so epic.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Oh wow that was a lucky catch!

[@garioma1344]

It's amazing to see them hunt with such precision! We live in rural N Utah & when the fields are cut it's a buffet for all raptors in the area. They eat well. 😉

[@dragoninthewest1]

I've seen a few by my house. Absolutely beautiful

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Love seeing them in the wild!

[@dragoninthewest1]

@@AnimalFactFiles One time when riding my bike, one flew about 10ft right over my head. I think it was riding on a thermal

[@ahmetk5922]

I made a list this time 1.plough snail 2.flamingo toungue snail 3.violet ses snail 4.javan rhino 5.japanese pygmy squid 6.giant otter 7.capybara 8.trumpet fish 9.california sheep head fish 10.marsh rabbit 11.marbled polecat 12.spectecled caiman 13.golden snub nosed monkey 14.slow loris 15.brown snout spook fish 16.burrowing owl 17.germains peacock pheasant 18.spinner shark 19.hazel dormouse 20.gulf menhaden 21.hand fish 22.umbrella vrab 23.mitten crab 24.Salmon shark 25.cobia 26.sand dollar 27.hydrothermal vent eelpout fish 28.club hook squid 29.bilby 30.deep sea lizard fish 31.clouded leopard 32.scaly tailed flying squirrel 33.disco clam 34.beaked whale 35.silky anteater I think this would be enough for today.Oh and by the way thanks for reading to here 🐫

[@AnimalFactFiles]

You know so many animals! Two of these we have videos for, so I'll link them for you. Capybara: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWianWCDgsiljK8 Sand Dollar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ_OYXV9arWCaa8 Thanks for watching! =)

[@ahmetk5922]

@@AnimalFactFiles I'll always watch you and thanks 😇😆😄😊😡😉😶😍😛😜😝😋😗😙😘😚😎😌😪🙋🙌🙆🙇🙎🙏😺😼😸😹😻😽😿😾🙀💩🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅💑💏👶👦👶👶👶👶👺👽👾👾👿💪💪💪👲👭👬👫👌👌👎👐👐💋👆👞👞👞👝👞👓👓👓👙👓👙⌚👝💴👛👛💴💲👗🔰🔰🚬🔭🔮🔦🔋🔌📜📗📘📙📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚🎐🎋🎌🎏

[@branchwhitney2140]

I do a hike (scramble) in Red Rock Canyon (20 miles west of Las Vegas) frequently. Every time I do the hike a red tail hawk flies over me. At first he/she was about 80 feet above me. Now, he/she is only 20 feet above me and passes over me several times.

[@darthveatay]

There’s a red tail hawk outside my window as I’m watching this

[@tonyv8925]

I live next to a DNR reserve area. Many species of raptors in my own back yard, so to speak (my propterty extends into the wetland). Red Tails and Red Shoulders are very common in my area, along with Bald Eagles and Falcons. I love my place in the country...

[@DeterminedExpression]

2:20 Thumbs up to thank me.

[@birdtiko]

Hello dear friend, join our channel. Thank you for your support

[@itsalyssabtw]

anyone else here bc of hawks from bnha? 💀

[@RasikaMahabal]

beautiful, thanks!

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Glad you like it! =)

[@birdtiko]

Hello dear friend, join our channel. Thank you for your support🙏🙏🙏

[@trissgridley554]

Yes a new video thanks for doing what you do, i was wondering when the chimpanzee video is coming as im very exited, cool video 😎

[@AnimalFactFiles]

We plan our videos months in advance, so it's difficult to know exact timing for when certain animals will show up. We will definitely be doing it in the future, though. =)

[@seadrifter8975]

Very similar to the euro buzzard in size and behavior too. Good video.

[@scoffvonkiel6881]

Glorious.

[@penny_the_wiser413]

I use to see a Red Tailed Hawk on a telephone one my way to work and my way home. He was always on a telephone pole.

[@Lochness19]

The Red Tailed hawks in my area go after squirrels a lot. We're in southern Ontario, at the northern edge of their overwintering range.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

I bet you've seen some cool aerial displays!

[@lrn_news9171]

I'd love to be in ontario because not only are there red tailed hawks but if you live in a forested area there are Red Shouldered hawks which are one of the most interesting and most beautiful hawks

[@Lochness19]

@@lrn_news9171 Yeah I'm pretty sure I've seen red shouldered hawks but not very often. Right now we have kestrels nesting somewhere on my block because I always see and hear them. We also see a lot of Northern Saw-whet in the summer, and of course turkey vultures. Another raptor that Ontario is under-rated for is bald eagles. I've seen them occasionally around Lake Ontario, but further north their population has rebounded to the point where they're very common. I lived in Thunder Bay for a few years recently and I'd have like a 50% chance of seeing them whenever I'd go hiking to the right locations (ex wooded areas with cliffs and water nearby, all of which there is an abundance in the Thunder Bay region). I've seen bald eagles several dozen times there, including a couple times flying over my house.

[@lrn_news9171]

@@Lochness19 I live in the BC interior and bald eagles are incredibly common here, best place to locate them is at the landfill funnily enough. And yes, Red shouldered hawks are more difficult to spot because they typically prefer heavily forested areas, typically hardwood forests. They are rarely seen in open areas near humans unless it's a heavily wooded suburb. Red tails on the other hand can even be seen inside large cities. In my area I am attempting to locate two other types of Buteos, one is Swainson's and Ferruginous hawk, the latter is the largest buteo in north america and prefer open areas, prairies and semi arid areas. Also trying to locate Prairie falcons, these three raptor species are quite uncommon here. Red tails are common, so are bald eagles, especially Ospreys.

[@lrn_news9171]

@@Lochness19 Where I used to live on st joseph island ontario, I've seen a breeding pair of red shoulders, they're incredibly uncommon there despite the availability of preferred breeding grounds, lots of hardwood forests, oak and maple. Apparently in southern ontario their population declined sharply due to clearing of land but good news is that they seem to be moving further north.

[@TheReaverOfDarkness]

Bald Eagle: Veerle Casteleyn Red-tailed Hawk: Helen Massey

[@patrickdonovan2323]

had one of these beauties buzz me the other day when I was walking, flew right in front of my face, then perched on a nearby electrical line.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

What an awesome sight!

[@Promises101]

One of my sponsors luv ya two terri

[@elizabethhancock2627]

I scared one by accident and got the talons

[@brianbittermann9331]

Ouch

[@4kageden]

Honestly,? I learned about these hawks because I read a bunch of Animorphs growing up.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Totally valid

[@lilg8017]

I remember seeing one getting chased by a couple of crows

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Yes I've seen that before, too! It's amazing to watch!

[@elijahher887]

I saw one just now

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Nice find! =D

[@cameronrich3857]

I have red tails hawks that circle my house all the time. Just five were today. Do you think my 4lb poodle is at risk? I set out three decoy owls hoping to keep them away from my dog. Thanks

[@AnimalFactFiles]

If you have any concerns over the safety of your pup I would recommend talking to your veterinarian about it and come up with a plan that works for everyone. Best of luck!

[@feliciapate7926]

IDK, but one of my neighbors had a Yorkie carried off by one supposedly. Admittedly, said Yorkie was probably about as heavy as a fart on the wind but still... Hopefully, your poodle stays safe and spoilt rotten.

[@machinegunk5090]

Apart from the velociraptor.

[@Ironsight_Player]

Welp, this is gonna trigger my ocd everytime i hear a eagle in a film or video now😆

[@shobhithkumar2533]

This is new . god I never knew this bird is mine.thats why o m g

[@markmybirds3695]

Chowed down on a cat?😳😳😳

[@shobhithkumar2533]

My goodness

[@bonitasiberry2744]

We just had a red-tail hawk kill a rabbit in our yard, it was scary & I couldn't watch...

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Wow that's a big sight! It would be intense to see!

[@13579hee]

Do hawks like cold weather? Are hawks more likely to be found when its cold out?

[@dherman0001]

The max weight suggested of 4.5 pounds is way off. I've seen them upwards of 8 pounds. The size of Jake turkeys and bigger. Much larger than my head.

[@raphlvlogs271]

are they closely related to Harris hawks?

[@JackyNickelson]

Question. Why are the Buteo genus birds called Hawks in the US? While in other parts of the world it still is called Buzzard. When I was young it was extremely confusing for me. I clearly could see these are Buzzards. When did this confusion started in America? Why and How? There are two genus Accipter (Hawks / sparrow hawks) and Buteo (Buzzards)

[@AnimalFactFiles]

This is one of those situations where both are right and wrong depending on perspective. It mostly has to do with colonizers naming birds with similar looks or similar behaviors the same as the birds they already knew from back home (even though they were different birds entirely). This article goes a little more into the discussion: www.thespruce.com/buzzards-vs-vultures-4171318 Thanks for watching!

[@ronaldarchibald2506]

The tail of a mature red tail is almost orange in sunlight when flying away from you.

[@r.c.a.f_lynx9992]

We had rabbits, ground hogs, squirrels etc. all of which lived in our section of the city. This summer, two red tail hawks moved in the neighbourhood and set up a nest on a high rise apartment building. We no longer have rabbits, ground hogs etc. in our section of the city. In fact game got so small the hawks started stealing baby birds from nests to eat. By September, they moved back into the country. Thank God they did. Hawks have also been known to attack small dogs. So I was extremely happy when they left my neighbourhood.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

They are a weird combination of beautiful, and nasty-deadly...just like some people!

[@lrn_news9171]

I'd be extremely happy to have red tailed hawks in my neighborhood damn. That would be freakin awesome

[@captainkirk9691]

I saw one land on my house

[@MrColin808]

A.J. HAWK!

[@20PINKluvr]

I've heard these before outside.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

It's awesome to hear them in the wild!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I have witnessed many times, that several crows will follow a hawk, harassing it, I suppose to drive it away from their nesting places...Crows have balls!

[@OspreyFlyer]

👍❤

[@NYG1991]

Don’t they also feast on squirrels & rats, too?

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Definitely!

[@NYG1991]

@@AnimalFactFiles, that’s what I thought. Thank you.

[@antonludwigaugustvonmacken8680]

Love seeing these shits hang out around my area

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Same! We watch them in our backyard.

[@stillphil]

1:56 Eagle beaks what?

[@Promises101]

932

[@tcapo514]

The story of the Red Tail Hawk and the white cat. CAT DEAD! I even got it on video the Hawk flying from pole to pole to get away from crows that were chasing her.

[@ORIGINALLANDEROS]

I just uploaded live footage of a red Tail Hawk soaring in the wild. 🏜️🏜️