This is the default large hawk species over most of North America. Unless you have evidence to the contrary, it is a Red-tail. It is also the most variable, with many different subspecies occurring throughout the range. Eastern birds and lighter western races are dark brown above with coarse white mottling on the scapulars, forming a pale V on the back. The tail is rufous with a dark subterminal band, and sometimes with finer dark bands throughout. The breast is pale buff, and a band of streaks crosses the belly. Feathering on the legs only extends halfway down the tarsus, unlike Rough-Legged and Ferruginous Hawks, which have fully feathered tarsi. In flight, all the pale races are distinguished by the dark mark on the leading edge of the underside of the wing (patagium). This mark is sometimes obscured on the darker subspecies. Dark subspecies are blackish-brown above with variable pale mottling. Underparts are similarly dark, with rufous barring on the undertail coverts and legs. Some birds have a dark rufous head and breast. In flight, dark subspecies show whitish undersides on the flight feathers, which contrast with the dark body and wing coverts. Juvenile: Young birds have markings similar to those of adults, but lack the buff tones below. The tail is finely banded and lacks any rufous. Harlan’s Hawk: Blackish overall, with variable white mottles and streaks. The tail is extremely variable, but is often whitish at the base and mottled gray near the end. At rest, the shorter wingtips do not reach the end of the tail. In flight, juvenile Harlan’s Hawks appear checkered with white on the underwing coverts and show fine white bands on the tail. The rare light morph of Harlan’s Hawk is blackish above and whitish below with very little streaking and no buff tones. Krider’s Hawk is paler above with a whitish head. The belly lacks streaks. The tail is whitish at the base and pinkish or light rufous near the end.

Length: 48 (cm) Wingspan: 117 (cm)

Voice:

A long descending keeeeerrrrrrrrr, heard on every Western movie ever made.

Habitat:

Open habitats with trees or other structures for perching, open woodlands.

Behavior:

Most often seen perched on utility poles and roadside fence posts. Pairs often circle over their territory on sunny days.

Feeding:

Small mammals, birds, reptiles.