But red-tailed hawks also are known as chicken, buzzard, red and Harlan's hawks. These birds were first identified in Jamaica, in the West Indies, which is how it gets its species name, jamaicensis. Among the identifying characteristics of these raptors: keen eyesight, binocular vision, powerful talons for grabbing prey and a sharp beak. Probably the most common hawk species in North America (there are more than 200 worldwide and about 25 species in the U.S.!), the red-tailed hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis) can be spotted soaring above rural areas from coast to coast and perching in open areas with scattered, elevated places, Rick Schwartz, a global ambassador for California's San Diego Zoo, says via email. (The bald eagle actually boasts a little cackling type of a laugh that's not very impressive.) Because the smaller and more prevalent red-tailed hawk has a much mightier voice than its larger cousin, the bald eagle, Hollywood regularly dubs over the call of the bald eagle with that of the red-tailed hawk to toughen up the symbol of America. "The eagle's call is much 'weaker' and sounds wimpy compared to that of the hawk," Scott Barnes, All Things Birds program director and assistant director of eco-travel for New Jersey Audubon, says in an email interview. It was more likely the piercing shrill of a red-tailed hawk instead. Surely you've seen a gorgeous bald eagle sweep across a TV or movie screen while it makes its familiar call - a harsh scream that sounds like "KEEE-eeer." But chances are you what you heard wasn't an eagle at all. The descriptions of individual Red-tailed Hawks can be quite unique and they vary in color from region to region as well.Red-tailed hawks spend much of their time perched high up in tree tops or on telephone poles in search of prey, until they take off on the hunt. Their backs, shoulders, and upper wings are a rich brown color and often there are mottled white patches or markings on the back shoulder area. Red-tailed Hawks usually have dark heads. It’s good to keep in mind that young birds won’t have red tails until they are around two years old! Most Red-tailed Hawks have light-colored abdomens with a streaky darker band that runs across the belly and continues under their wings. Actually, the tails of adult Red-tailed Hawks are red on top and whitish below but the red color shows through the white when they are soaring up in the sky. Another way to identify a Red-tailed Hawk is when you see its red tail! That makes sense. No other raptor in our region has this characteristic. These darkened lines on the upper wing edges are called patagial markings. A Red-tailed Hawk can be positively identified when flying overhead by the dark line on the top edge of the inner part of its underwing. Red-tailed Hawks have long, broad wings and short, wide tails. Only those that are in the far northern regions migrate south to warmer habitats for the winter. Most Red-tailed Hawks live in their areas year round. The Red-tailed Hawk has a vast range in North America, which includes all across the United States. This month, let’s learn about the Red-tailed Hawk! You can often see this hawk along a roadside either soaring in the air or perched on telephone poles and fence posts as it hunts for food.
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