Red-Tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A large, broad-winged raptor often seen circling over Florida roadsides, fields, neighborhoods, and woodland edges.
Red-tailed Hawks use open ground for hunting and tall structures for watching prey. Florida residents occur year-round, and northern migrants increase winter numbers.
Plumage varies widely, so shape, flight style, belly band, and the adult red tail work together for identification. Their descending raspy scream is a familiar raptor call.
Habitat:
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Agricultural Areas, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Eats rats, mice, rabbits, squirrels, snakes, and other available prey. Hunting focuses on open ground where prey is visible.
Behavior:
Soars on rising air, circles with wings held in a shallow V, and watches from trees or utility poles before dropping on prey.
Daytime
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Daylight hours on tall trees, utility poles, roadside perches, or circling over open land.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Not federally or state listed; widespread and adaptable.
Safety Level:
Low. Protect Small Pets
Safety Information:
Observe from a respectful distance. Do not approach nests or injured birds, and supervise very small pets outdoors.
Benefits to Property:
Helps control rodents and other small animals around fields, large properties, and open neighborhoods.
Property Concerns:
Rarely threatens people. Very small poultry or pets should remain supervised outdoors where hawks hunt.
Fun Fact:
- The familiar movie eagle scream is often a Red-tailed Hawk recording.
- Young birds have brown barred tails rather than red tails.
- Pairs frequently reuse the same territory for years.
Wildlife Laws:
Protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Possession, capture, nest disturbance, and harm require federal authorization.
Identification:
Broad rounded wings, a bulky body, and a short wide tail. Adults usually show a brick-red upper tail, while the pale chest often has a darker belly band.