Red-tailed
Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
 Red-tail in flight. Note the black elbows. |
General Description: Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) are large hawks that are easy to recognize if you see the red tail. Otherwise, the dark head, bright white breast, dark belly band, and white belly helps to identify them. In flight, they usually have black elbows. Red-tails show several color patterns, and some are difficult to identify. Young birds do not have a red tail. Red-tailed Hawks are part of a group of hawks called Buteos, which includes all members of the genus Buteo and related genera. These hawks are recognized by their broad, rounded wings and soaring behavior. |
 Note dark head, white belly with dark belly band. |
Favored Habitat: Open deserts with places to perch (e.g., powerpoles) and hunt. Where to Find: Never common, but found in the desert and around cliffs. Watch for Red-tails sitting on powerpoles in the open desert. Comments: |
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Red-tailed Hawk on a high-tension powerline. Note the alternating dark and light pattern on the underside: dark hood, white breast, dark belly band, and white belly. |
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Flapping flight. |
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Soaring flight. |
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Mounted Red-tailed Hawk on display at Malhuer National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon. Note the alternating dark and light pattern on the underside: dark hood, white breast, dark belly band, and white belly. |
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Mounted Red-tailed Hawk on display at Malhuer National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon. When you can see it, the red tail uniquely identifies this species. |
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Red-tailed Hawk soaring. |
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Stately Red-tailed Hawk standing in a Joshua Tree. |
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
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© Jim Boone; Last updated 080205
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