Day 47: Red-tailed Hawk

Recently, Jared got some fantastic shots of a Red-tailed Hawk right in our front yard. I wish I could take the credit for these fabulous photos, but they're all Jared!

The Red-tailed Hawk is a common bird of prey found throughout most of North America. As a species, it varies greatly across its range, with up to 16 subspecies recognized, all differing slightly in color or size. In most Red-tailed Hawks, the underbelly is lighter than the back, and they have a dark brown band across the belly. The characteristic red tail is uniformly brick-red above and pink below.

We've seen and heard several Red-tailed Hawks throughout Maryland on our various excursions.

No head!

The cry of a Red-tailed Hawk is also a familiar sound. You'd know it if you heard it. In movies, whenever there's a Western scene or a hawk or eagle (of any kind) is shown flying, very often they play the cry of a Red-tailed Hawk. It's a rasping scream, beginning at a high pitch a slurring downward. 

Red-tailed Hawks are carnivores, preferring small mammals but also eating birds and reptiles. They mainly hunt from a perch site, flying down to seize prey.

In the U.S., the Red-tailed Hawk is a popular bird for falconry. Their feathers are also considered sacred to many American Indians, and the possession of feathers is regulated by the eagle feather law.