Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Red-tailed Hawk image © Helen Baines

Family: (Accipitridae) Hawks and Allies

Preferred Habitat: Open rural areas and woodlands.

Seasonal Occurrence: Abundant late September through early April. A few may be seen other times of the year. Only occasionally breeds in our area.

Notes: Red-tailed Hawks are our most common winter hawk. They are usually spotted soaring in the sky or perched on power poles along the road. There are many color variations, but most adults have a rust-red tail, with a white chest which has a streaky brown "belly-band". Juveniles have brown tails with white stripes, and streaky brown chests. Red-tails may be recognized in flight by the massive, muscle-bound appearance of their wings, the leading edge of which shows a dark crescent-shaped streak of color contrasting with the general pale wing color. Small rodents and rabbits are the Red-tail's preferred food. Its call is a harsh, dropping keeeeer.

Red-tailed Hawk with squirrel Red-tailed Hawk image courtesy of Eric Jorgeson

Red-tailed Hawks are commonly seen in Houston' suburbs in winter. Eric Jorgeson witnessed this Red-tail capture a squirrel in his subdivision close to Dairy Ashford and Buffalo Bayou. He saw the Red-tail hit the squirrel and initially thought the hawk was injured until he saw the squirrel.
- Susan Billetdeaux