Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk is the most commonly observed hawk in Sonoma County (and probably the most common hawk in the United States). A large raptor perched high in a tree or on a telephone pole or other tall manmade support is most likely this bird--if not a Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). Otherwise, typically seen soaring high overhead. Present throughout the county all year in suitable habitat, which is just about everywhere except in urban centers and the most heavily forested areas of the county in the extreme northwest. Numbers increase a little in the winter months as birds normally living north of us move in temporarily or pass through to the south. Hunts from high perches and sometimes while hovering. Feeds on small mammals (from mice and voles to gophers, ground squirrels, and rabbits), snakes, and occasionally birds. Highly territorial. Red-tailed Hawks form year-round pair bonds with mates. Courtship display may therefore occur at any time of the year, but the paired mating dances these birds are known for are best seen in early spring. They can be particularly beautiful in neighboring Marin County when seen from the hills just north of San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop.

A fairly large (19-25 inches head to tail, wingspan 43-57 inches), chunky, comparatively short-tailed Hawk. The broad, rounded wings and short, broad tail, apparent in flight, are typical of this bird and the genus Buteo in general.

Highly variable plumage, with a number of named variations and light and dark morphs of most typical plumage patterns. Red-tailed Hawks therefore can be confusing, especially to beginning birders and casual birders, but they are usually identifiable by size, shape, and habit, if not immediately by coloration. That said, the typical adult bird in Sonoma County is mostly dark brown above (but often with a subtle, variable pale or slightly rufous mottling) with a dark head and rufous tail, often somewhat paler at the base. From below, usually dark at the the throat, pale at the breast and with a pale belly, variably streaked with dark brown. The tail is considerably less obviously red from below, unless well-lit. Young birds show more streaking on the breast and belly than adult birds, especially around the lower belly (they are often described as having a “belly band”). Note, however, that birds of populations in the Eastern United States often (although not always) retain the belly band into adulthood. Young birds have a pale iris, adult birds an all-dark eye. Young birds are paler at the base of the tail than adults and show a distinctive pattern of paleness at the base of the primaries as well (photos below), both of which can suggest a young Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis). On birds with pale plumage below, the edges of the inner wing linings are often darker, making the wing linings look outlined. A dark patagial bar (a dark bar along the leading edge of the underside of the wing) is typical in most plumages, although obscured in dark morph birds that are all dark below. Dark morph birds are dark on the throat, breast and belly with dark wing linings (photo below). Named variations include Harlan’s Hawk (a blackish subspecies) and Krider’s Hawk (a pale subspecies). Both are rarities in Sonoma County.

For current raptor migration information, visit the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory website

English synonyms: Black Warrior, California Hawk, Chicken Hawk, Cooper's Buzzard Hawk, Fuertes' Hawk, Harlan's Hawk, Hen Hawk, Krider's Hawk, Red Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk in other languages--German: Rotschwanzbussard; Spanish: Águila Colirrojo, Aguililla Cola Roja, Aguililla Colirroja, Busardo Colirrojo, Gavilán Cola Roja, Gavilán Colirrojo, Gavilán de Cola Roja, Gavilán de Monte, Guaraguao; French: Buse à queue rousse, Buse de Harlan; Russian: Канюк ямайский или краснохвостый, Краснохвостый канюк, Краснохвостый сарыч; Chinese: 红尾鵟; Japanese: アカオノスリ (akaonosuri)

(Language information from Avibase, Birds of Europe (Mullarney et al, Princeton Field Guide Series), and Birds of Asia (Mark Brazil, Princeton Field Guide Series).