These hawks are monogamous, and mate with the same individual for many years. In fact, red-tailed hawks usually only change mates when their original mate dies. During courtship, the male and female soar together in circles for up to 10 minutes before mating. Legs hanging beneath them, they chase and swoop after each other, sometimes locking talons.
Red-tailed Hawks can be aggressive when defending nests or territories. They frequently chase off other hawks, eagles, and Great Horned Owls.
Nests are typically built using dry sticks; lined with bark strips, fresh foliage and dry vegetation, and places at the top of tall trees, on a cliff or window ledge. Both male and female birds help to construct the nest, oftentimes just repairing last years nest. (University of Michigan, 2010)
· large hawks. Female larger than male. · very broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. · rich brown above and pale below, with a streaked belly and, on the wing underside, a dark bar between shoulder and wrist. · The tail is usually pale below and cinnamon-red above (Cornell University, 2011)
Red-Tailed Hawks are very versatile and live in habitats ranging from the desert, scrublands, grasslands, and roadsides, to fields and pastures, parks, broken woodlands, and the tropical rain forests of Mexico.
They mostly consume small mammals such as mice, rabbits, hares and ground squirrels as well as snakes and birds.(National Geographic, 2011)
Conservation Status:
Little or no concern. Common. Population widespread and stable.(National Geographic, 2011)