Red-tailed Hawk
Length: 22" Wing Span: 56 inches". Sexual Maturity: 3 yrs. Mating Season: spring Incubation: 28-32 days No. of Eggs: 1-3 Birth Interval: year Life span : 10-21 yrs. |
General information:
The Red-tail can be found high in the sky or perched on a telephone pole. To help in identifying the Red-tail Hawk look at the rounded tail which will show off a russet red color. This will only be in hawks that have reached there second year in age, when the molting process takes place. |
Special anatomical,
physiological
or behavioral adaptations:
Like all hawks, the Red-tailed Hawk's talons are its main weapons. Hawks are carnivores (meat eaters) that belong to the category of birds known as raptors. The eyesight of a hawk is 8 times as powerful as a human's. Since the eyes are located towards the side of the head the hawk cannot see directly in front of it. |
Red-tailed Hawk Picture Courtesy of Desert USA |
Comments
about the Red-tailed Hawks of the Fort Worth Zoo:
Since there is not a Red-tail Hawk at the Fort Worth Zoo. I was able to find some curious facts that relate to the Hawks.
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common member of the buzzard hawk family. |
Personal
Observations:
In my neighborhood there are many
fields were I've seen a Red-tail Hawk. This bird is very distinct
in his coloring and is not hard to miss when in flight. Typically
when I see this Hawk it is perched on top of a telephone pole or a road
sign. Another aspect that will help you spot this bird is its size.
It is much bigger than most birds that are in the area. |
Source Materials
and Related Links:
Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999.
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Send E-mail to enjohnson76@hotmail.com or to mac@whozoo.org
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