Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Buteo jamaicensis"

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{{Taxobox
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{{Bird id
| color = pink
 
 
| name = Red-tailed Hawk
 
| name = Red-tailed Hawk
| status = LC
+
| latin_name = Buteo jamaicensis
| image = Red-tailed Hawk.jpg
+
| level = 4
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
+
| image_1 = Hawk eating prey.jpg
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
+
| caption_1 = Red-tailed Hawk eating a vole
| classis = [[bird|Aves]]
+
| description = The '''Red-tailed Hawk''' (''Buteo jamaicensis'') breeds from western Alaska and northern Canada to Panama and the West Indies. Males are typically smaller than females, generally weighing between {{units|800–1100 grams|1.8-2.4 pounds}} and measuring {{units|45–56 cm|1'5.7"-1'10"}} in length. Females typically average between {{units|1100–1300 grams|1.8-2.9 pounds}} and measure {{units|50–65 cm|1'7.7"-2'1.6"}} in length.
| ordo = [[Falconiformes]]
 
| familia = [[Accipitridae]]
 
| genus = ''[[Buteo]]''
 
| species = '''''B. jamaicensis'''''
 
| binomial = ''Buteo jamaicensis''
 
| binomial_authority = ([[Johann Friedrich Gmelin|Gmelin]], 1788)
 
}}
 
  
The '''Red-tailed Hawk''' (''Buteo jamaicensis'') is a large [[Buzzard|hawk]] which breeds from western [[Alaska]] and northern [[Canada]] to [[Panama]] and the [[West Indies]]. Males are typically smaller than females, generally weighing between 800–1100 grams and measuring 45–56 cm in length. Females typically average between 1100–1300 grams and measure 50–65 cm in length. It is one of three species colloquially known in the [[United States]] as the [[Chickenhawk (bird)|Chickenhawk]]. It is the most common [[North America]]n hawk.
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This is one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk". It is the most common North American hawk and the raptor most frequently taken from the wild (and later returned to the wild) for falconry in the United States.
  
==Description==
+
Birds of this species have a dark mark along the leading edge of the underwing, between the body and the wrist. Most, but not all color variations have a dark band across the belly. In most, the adults' tails are rusty red above, and juveniles have narrow brown and pale bands. The main western North American population has bands on the adults' rusty tails as well and has varied plumage, organized into three main color types or morphs.  
Birds of this species have a dark mark along the leading edge of the underwing, between the body and the wrist (the [[patagium]]). Most but not all color variations have a dark band across the belly. In most, the adults' tails are rusty red above, and juveniles have narrow brown and pale bands. The main western North American population has bands on the adults' rusty tails as well and has varied plumage, organized into three main color types or [[Polymorphism (biology)|morphs]].  
 
  
Immature birds, or birds that are only a few years old, can also readily be identified by having yellowish pupils. As the bird attains full maturity over the course of 3–4 years, the pupils slowly darken into a reddish-brown hue.
+
Immature birds, or birds that are only a few years old, can also readily be identified by having yellowish irises. As the bird attains full maturity over the course of 3–4 years, the iris slowly darkens into a reddish-brown hue.
  
* Light-morph birds are mainly brown on the upperparts and very pale brown or buff on the underparts and underwings; they show a belly band.
+
The breeding habitat is open country with high perches. They build a stick nest in a large tree, in a cactus, or on a cliff ledge 35 m or higher above ground; they may also nest on man-made structures. Both sexes build the sturdy nest, made of different sized twigs and sticks, lined with fresh green foliage and evergreen sprigs.  The fresh sprigs are regularly replaced during incubation.  Up to four eggs may be laid at daily intervals. The shells are colored a dull or bluish-white with a granulated or smooth surface, never glossy.  There may be some splotches of various shades of brown.  Incubation is by the female from 28 to 35 days, during which time she is fed by the male.  The young are able to fly at about 45 days.
* Rufous-morph birds are darker and redder, with reddish-brown rather than white on the underparts.  The belly band may be barely visible.
 
* Dark-morph birds are very dark brown on both upperparts and underparts; they have lighter parts on the underwings.
 
  
Almost all of the main eastern population are light-morph, with whiter underparts and paler markings than western birds and with solid rust-red tails as adults.
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In most of the United States, Red-tailed Hawks are permanent residents, but northern breeding birds migrate south in winter.  Throughout their range in the U.S., Red-tailed Hawks receive special legal protections under the [[w:Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918|Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918]]. They have a complex relationship with humans, capable of both controlling rodent and other mammalian pests, and on occasion taking valuable fowl (which has led to them being one of the species described as a Chickenhawk).  
  
Other variations are:
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Red-tailed Hawks prefer to wait on a high perch and swoop down on prey; they also patrol open areas in flight. They mainly eat small mammals, birds and reptiles. Their favorite prey varies with regional and seasonal availability but includes most types of rodents, rabbits, pheasant, grouse, quail, rattle snakes, copperheads, lizards, and, when near the water's edge, carp and catfish. Those that live in cities may prefer pigeons and starlings, both of which are plentiful in many urban areas.
* '''Harlan's Hawk''' usually has blackish plumage contrasting with white undersides of the flight feathers; the tail may be reddish or grey and is longitudinally streaked rather than barred. It breeds in Alaska and northwestern Canada and winters from [[Nebraska]] and [[Iowa]] to [[Texas]] and northern [[Louisiana]]. It is sometimes considered a separate species, ''Buteo harlani''.
 
* '''Krider's Hawk''' is paler than other red-tails, especially on the head; the tail may be pinkish or white. It is mainly found in the central [[prairie]]s of the United States.
 
  
Resident breeding birds in [[Central America]] have cinnamon underparts which enables them to be easily distinguished from the paler-breasted wintering migrants.
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In flight, these hawks soar with wings in a slight dihedral, flapping as little as possible. They sometimes hover on beating wings and sometimes "kite", or remain stationary above the ground by soaring into the wind.  When soaring or flapping their wings, they typically travel from 30 km/h to 65 km/h, but when diving may reach speeds as high as 195 km/h.  
  
==Behavior==
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The Red-tailed Hawk is common and widespread, partly because it has benefited from the historic settlement patterns across North America.  The clearing of trees in the east of North America provided hunting areas, and the practice of sparing woodlots left nest sites. Conversely, the planting of trees in the west provided nest sites where there had been none. The construction of highways with treeless medians and shoulders and with utility poles alongside provided perfect habitat for perch-hunting, so Red-tailed Hawks are now a common sight along highways.
  
Their breeding habitat is open country with high perches. They build a stick nest in a large tree, in a [[cactus]], or on a cliff ledge 35 m or higher above ground; they may also nest on man-made structures.  Both sexes build the sturdy nest, made of different sized twigs and sticks, lined with fresh green foliage and evergreen sprigs.  The fresh sprigs are regularly replaced during incubation.  Up to four eggs may be laid at daily intervals.  The shells are colored a dull or bluish-white with a granulated or smooth surface, never glossy.  There may be some splotches of various shades of brown.  Incubation is by the female from 28 to 35 days, during which time she is fed by the male.  The young are able to fly at about 45 days. 
+
A certain recording of the cry of the Red-tailed Hawk is probably one of the most often heard cinematic sound clichés. This high, fierce scream is often featured in the background of adventure movies to give a sense of wilderness to the scene. However, the cry is more commonly used for the Bald Eagle, whose own vocalizations are quite different.
 
+
}}<noinclude>[[Category:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Transcluded Modules|{{FULLCHAPTERNAME}}]]</noinclude>
In most of the [[United States]], Red-tailed Hawks are permanent residents, but northern breeding birds [[bird migration|migrate]] south in winter.  Throughout their range in the U.S., Red-tailed Hawks receive special legal protections under the [[Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918]]. They have a complex relationship with humans, capable of both controlling rodent and other mammalian [[pest (animal)|pest]]s, and of on occasion being one, taking valuable fowl (which has led to them being one of the species described as a Chickenhawk).
 
 
 
Red-tailed hawks prefer to wait on a high perch and swoop down on prey; they also patrol open areas in flight. They mainly eat small [[mammal]]s, [[bird]]s and [[reptile]]s.  Their favorite prey varies with regional and seasonal availability but includes most types of [[rodent]]s, [[rabbit]]s, [[pheasant]], [[grouse]], [[quail]], [[rattle snake]]s, [[copperhead]]s, [[lizard]]s, and, when near the water's edge, [[carp]] and [[catfish]].  Those that live in cities may prefer [[pigeon]]s and [[starling]]s, both of which are plentiful in many urban areas.
 
 
 
In flight, these hawks soar with wings in a slight [[dihedral]], flapping as little as possible. They sometimes hover on beating wings and sometimes "kite", or remain stationary above the ground by soaring into the wind.  When soaring or flapping their wings, they typically travel from 30 km/h to 65 km/h but when diving, they reach speeds as high as 195 km/h.
 
 
 
The Red-tailed Hawk is common and widespread, partly because it has benefited from the historic settlement patterns across North America.  The clearing of trees in the east of North America provided hunting areas, and the practice of sparing woodlots left nest sites. Conversely, the planting of trees in the west provided nest sites where there had been none. The construction of highways with treeless medians and shoulders and with utility poles alongside provided perfect habitat for perch-hunting, so Red-tailed Hawks are now a common sight along highways. Finally, these birds have moved into [[New York City|New York]] and other U.S. cities, as in the successful non-fiction book ''Red-Tails in Love: A Wildlife Drama in Central Park'', by [[Marie Winn]]. Winn wrote about one of the most famous of them, [[Pale Male]].
 
 
 
== Red-tailed Hawks and Humans ==
 
 
 
Like other [[hawk]]s and [[falcon]]s, the Red-tailed Hawk is sometimes used in [[falconry]], for which extensive training and a permit are required.
 
 
 
The [[feather]]s and other parts of the Red-tailed [[Hawk]] are considered [[sacred]] to many American [[indigenous]] people and, like the feathers of the [[Bald Eagle]] and [[Golden Eagle]], are sometimes used in religious ceremonies and found adorning the regalia of many [[Native Americans]] in the United States; these parts, most especially their distinctive tail feathers, are a popular item in the Native American community. As with the other two species, the feathers and parts of the Red-tailed Hawk are regulated by the [[eagle feather law]] (Title 50 Part 22 Code of US Federal Regulations), which governs the possession of feathers and parts of migratory birds.
 
 
 
==Trivia==
 
 
 
A certain recording of the cry of the Red-tailed Hawk is probably one of the most often heard cinematic sound clichés. This high, fierce scream is often featured in the background of [[adventure film|adventure movies]] to give a sense of [[wilderness]] to the scene.
 
 
 
In literature, on popular portrayal of a Red-tailed hawk is in the children's book series [[Animorphs]]. In this series, the Red-tailed Hawk is the preferred morph of the character Tobias.
 
 
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
Image:Red-tailed Hawk KSC00pp0245.jpg
 
Image:Buteo calurus.jpg
 
Image:RT_hawks.jpg|Two chicks in nest, Massachusetts
 
Image:RedTailedHawkSoaring.jpg|Light morph, in gliding flight
 
Image:Redtailedhawkap.jpg|Juvenile eastern race
 
Image:Red-tailed hawk02.jpg|On fence post in Bexar county, Texas
 
Image:Buteo jamaicensis 002.jpg|Bird in San Francisco
 
Image:IMGP0393.JPG|Red-Tailed Hawk, standing, Albany, New York
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
==References==
 
* {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=49438|title=Buteo jamaicensis|downloaded=11 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
 
* Stiles and Skutch,  ''A guide to the birds of Costa Rica''  ISBN 0-0814-9600-4
 
* Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR), ''Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries PART 22—EAGLE PERMITS''[http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title50/50cfr22_main_02.tpl]
 
* [http://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/migtrea.html Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918]
 
 
 
== External links ==
 
{{wikicommons|Buteo jamaicensis}}
 
*[http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-tailed_Hawk.html Cornell University Ornithology Lab page about the Red-tailed Hawk, including samples of their cry]
 
*[http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i3370id.html USGS web page about the Red-tailed Hawk]
 
*[http://www.library.fordham.edu/whatsnew/hawks.html Red-Tailed Hawks Pictures]
 
* [http://www.geocities.com/eaglefeatherlaw Religious Freedom with Raptors]
 
 
 
[[Category:Buteoninae]]
 
[[Category:Falconry]]
 
[[category:Birds of prey]]
 
[[Category:Birds of Puerto Rico]]
 
 
 
[[fr:Buse à queue rousse]]
 
[[it:Buteo jamaicensis]]
 
[[ja:アカオノスリ]]
 
[[pt:Búteo-de-cauda-vermelha]]
 

Latest revision as of 19:11, 5 July 2012

Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk)
Red-tailed Hawk eating a vole
Description
The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) breeds from western Alaska and northern Canada to Panama and the West Indies. Males are typically smaller than females, generally weighing between 800–1100 grams1.8-2.4 pounds and measuring 45–56 cm1'5.7"-1'10" in length. Females typically average between 1100–1300 grams1.8-2.9 pounds and measure 50–65 cm1'7.7"-2'1.6" in length.

This is one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk". It is the most common North American hawk and the raptor most frequently taken from the wild (and later returned to the wild) for falconry in the United States.

Birds of this species have a dark mark along the leading edge of the underwing, between the body and the wrist. Most, but not all color variations have a dark band across the belly. In most, the adults' tails are rusty red above, and juveniles have narrow brown and pale bands. The main western North American population has bands on the adults' rusty tails as well and has varied plumage, organized into three main color types or morphs.

Immature birds, or birds that are only a few years old, can also readily be identified by having yellowish irises. As the bird attains full maturity over the course of 3–4 years, the iris slowly darkens into a reddish-brown hue.

The breeding habitat is open country with high perches. They build a stick nest in a large tree, in a cactus, or on a cliff ledge 35 m or higher above ground; they may also nest on man-made structures. Both sexes build the sturdy nest, made of different sized twigs and sticks, lined with fresh green foliage and evergreen sprigs. The fresh sprigs are regularly replaced during incubation. Up to four eggs may be laid at daily intervals. The shells are colored a dull or bluish-white with a granulated or smooth surface, never glossy. There may be some splotches of various shades of brown. Incubation is by the female from 28 to 35 days, during which time she is fed by the male. The young are able to fly at about 45 days.

In most of the United States, Red-tailed Hawks are permanent residents, but northern breeding birds migrate south in winter. Throughout their range in the U.S., Red-tailed Hawks receive special legal protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. They have a complex relationship with humans, capable of both controlling rodent and other mammalian pests, and on occasion taking valuable fowl (which has led to them being one of the species described as a Chickenhawk).

Red-tailed Hawks prefer to wait on a high perch and swoop down on prey; they also patrol open areas in flight. They mainly eat small mammals, birds and reptiles. Their favorite prey varies with regional and seasonal availability but includes most types of rodents, rabbits, pheasant, grouse, quail, rattle snakes, copperheads, lizards, and, when near the water's edge, carp and catfish. Those that live in cities may prefer pigeons and starlings, both of which are plentiful in many urban areas.

In flight, these hawks soar with wings in a slight dihedral, flapping as little as possible. They sometimes hover on beating wings and sometimes "kite", or remain stationary above the ground by soaring into the wind. When soaring or flapping their wings, they typically travel from 30 km/h to 65 km/h, but when diving may reach speeds as high as 195 km/h.

The Red-tailed Hawk is common and widespread, partly because it has benefited from the historic settlement patterns across North America. The clearing of trees in the east of North America provided hunting areas, and the practice of sparing woodlots left nest sites. Conversely, the planting of trees in the west provided nest sites where there had been none. The construction of highways with treeless medians and shoulders and with utility poles alongside provided perfect habitat for perch-hunting, so Red-tailed Hawks are now a common sight along highways.

A certain recording of the cry of the Red-tailed Hawk is probably one of the most often heard cinematic sound clichés. This high, fierce scream is often featured in the background of adventure movies to give a sense of wilderness to the scene. However, the cry is more commonly used for the Bald Eagle, whose own vocalizations are quite different.