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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. LXIII
Field-journal plate: Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate LXIII

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Accipitridae · Taxon 5212

Length43–66 cm (17–26 in)
Wingspan114–133 cm (45–52 in)
Weight690–1,470 g (24–52 oz)

Field marks

  1. Large, bulky buteo with very broad, rounded wings and spread “fingered” wingtips.
  2. Usually rich brown above and paler below, often with a darker streaked belly band.
  3. Adult tail is typically cinnamon-red above and pale below; juveniles have a brown, narrowly banded tail.
  4. Underwings commonly show pale flight feathers contrasted with dark leading-edge bars and darker wingtips.
  5. Short, strongly hooked dark bill; eyes and bare legs/feet appear yellow to pale yellow.
  6. Plumage is variable: light, rufous, and dark morphs occur.

HabitatOpen country and habitat edges: fields, grasslands, meadows, shrublands, woodland margins, and other open areas with scattered perches or trees.

BehaviorSoars and glides over open ground, often hunting from a perch or by hovering into the wind before a controlled dive.

Palette

rich browncinnamon redcream whitedark chocolate brownyellow