Red-tailed Hawk Identification Guide
North America's most widespread and familiar large hawk, recognized by its broad wings, rusty tail, and iconic raspy scream.
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Key Field Marks
- Large, bulky buteo with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail, commonly seen soaring or perched on roadside poles.
- Adult upperside of the tail is brick-red ("red tail"), though this can be hard to see from below in bright light.
- Typical light-morph adult: pale breast, a band of dark streaking across the belly ("belly band"), and a dark leading edge (patagial mark) on the underwing visible in flight.
- Plumage is highly variable across subspecies and color morphs, ranging from very pale to dark rufous ("dark morph") to blackish (Harlan's Hawk), so the belly band and patagial mark are more consistent field marks than overall color.
- Frequently perches conspicuously on utility poles, fence posts, and trees along open roads and fields.
Separating It From Similar Species
- Red-shouldered Hawk: slimmer, with a banded (not plain rusty) tail and checkered wings.
- Swainson's Hawk: slimmer, longer, more pointed wings, with a contrasting dark flight-feather/pale wing-covert underwing pattern rather than a patagial mark.
- Ferruginous Hawk: larger and paler overall, with feathered legs down to the toes and a pale, unbarred tail.
- The stocky shape, belly band, and dark patagial mark are the most reliable clues across its many color variations.
Habitat, Range & Season
- Extremely adaptable, found in open country, deserts, agricultural fields, grasslands, and even urban and suburban areas across nearly all of North America.
- Year-round resident through much of its range; northern populations migrate south in winter.
- Commonly seen soaring on thermals or perched prominently scanning for prey such as rodents.
Voice
- A raspy, descending scream, "kee-eeeee-arrr," frequently used in film and television as a generic "eagle" sound; both sexes give this call, often near the nest or while soaring.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Red-tailed Hawk look so different from bird to bird?
It has many recognized subspecies and color morphs, from pale to dark rufous to nearly blackish (Harlan's Hawk), so overall color is unreliable; the dark belly band and patagial wing mark are more consistent identification clues.
Is the famous hawk scream in movies really a Red-tailed Hawk?
Yes, its raspy descending scream is very commonly used in film and television, even when the footage shown is of an eagle or other raptor.
How can I tell a Red-tailed Hawk from a Red-shouldered Hawk?
Red-tailed Hawks are bulkier with broader wings, a plain rusty adult tail, and a streaked belly band, while Red-shouldered Hawks are slimmer with a banded tail and checkered wings.
Where is the best place to look for Red-tailed Hawks?
Check roadside poles, fence posts, and open fields; they are one of the most commonly seen large hawks across nearly all of North America year-round.