Red Tailed Hawk
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    Description: Most common in North American, the beautiful red tailed has been spotted by all at one time or another. The red tailed hawk will eat mice, moles, shrews, rats, squirrels, gophers, rabbits, prairie dogs, muskrats, weasels, skunks (P.U.) and even porcupines (carefully). A familiar call of the red tailed hawk is what is often attracts attention to the big bird. Gliding overhead, the red tailed will emit a harsh, descending "kreeeee-r-r", not unlike the sound of a squealing pig". ANd if you don't spot a hawk, your ears could be fooling you. Blue Jays do a good imitation of the red tailed signature call. Western birds are much darker overall than eastern hawks. Some are almost all brown. They are common sights along highways, perched opon fence posts or utility poles while watching for food. They are devoted birds to each other and believe to mate for life.

    Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis
    Length: 19 to 25 inches.
    Wingspan: 51 to 58 inches.
    Distinctive Markings: Red tail marked by a single dark band. Dark brown back and pale underside with brown streaks on neck and belly.
    Distinctive Behavior: Soars aloft and uses phenomenal vision to spot small animals from great distances. Perches in trees or on poles, then lifts off with few strong wing beats and glides down to snatch prey.

    Habitat:  Mix of pastures or fields interspread with woods and bluffs. Lives throughout North America, expect on the tundra and in dense forests.
    Song: Harsh, descending cry of "kreeeeer-r-r".
    Nesting: Selects a branch high in the air and builds a bulky nest of twigs, up to 3 feet across, then lines it with bark. Female lays two to three white eggs with a few brown eggs. The female does most of the incubation, while the male brings her food. The young hatch after 28 to 32 days old.
    Diet:
    Rodents are most common, but will also eat some reptiles, birds and fish.

    Facts:
    People called the Red Tailed Hawk "Chicken Hawk" even though its does not eat chicken.
    There are several other variations of this bird. On the Great Plains, the Krider's red tailed is quite pale with only a hint of red on its tail. The Harlian's red tailed sports black, streaked feathers and no red tail. Once considered a separate species, its nests in Alaska and spends winter in the central United States.

    Heads and tails: Adult red tailed hawks aren't all alike. Some display lighter feathers, while others have darker coloring.

    Catching a breeze: The red tailed hawk is a magnificent sight, whether perched on a fence post or soaring through the air, using its phenomenal vision to spot prey from great distances.

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