See all posts in the Birds of Carver County series

In “The Sibley Guide to Birds,” the author and illustrator included over 40 depictions of the red-tailed hawk. The species is also characterized as the “default” hawk in most areas. So, if you are driving the rural roads of Carver County and your passenger excitedly says, “look at the hawk sitting on the telephone pole” and without looking you could smugly say, “Oh, that’s a red-tail” and probably be correct. 

If you’re lucky, the hawk will then take off, showing its stocky body, rounded wings and distinctive feathers and your passenger might exclaim, “You’re right! I can see its red tail!” Your birding expertise is once again established. 

Or, maybe not one of those 40 illustrations depicts the bird on the pole, and it is actually one of the other hawks that perch on treetops and soar over our fields looking for prey. Broad-winged hawks hunt the same grounds and during migration, the warm-air thermal columns might also transport rough-legged hawks, Swainson’s hawks or red-shouldered hawks. 

Luckily, each of those hawks has a key identification feature. Most sub-species of red-tailed hawk are known for showing a “belly-band” in the center of their chest, seen while it is perched or overhead. If you see that dark band but no red tail, you may be looking at a juvenile. Otherwise, their backs and heads are usually dark in shades of brown. They have large eyes that provide keen vision. Hawks focus their attention by aiming their heads rather than moving their eyes.

Its scientific name is Buteo jamaicensis. Buteo indicates the group of similar raptors and jamaicensis reflects that the person naming it saw it first in Jamaica. Red-tails are found across North America and are large—19 to 26 inches long with a wingspan of more than four feet. The females are larger than males, but otherwise both sexes look the same. 

They hunt for small critters including mice, voles, ground squirrels, rabbits, snakes, domesticated and game poultry. They usually leave small, agile wild birds alone. They must defend themselves and their nest from owls, crows and the direct or indirect actions of people. 

Bald eagles and red-tails may try to rob each other of food. The photo reflects this natural animosity between competitors and provides a good comparison of their different sizes. 

Courtship displays can attract our attention as the smaller male may dive down toward the female, and she will invert her flight and in mock combat, turning her talons up toward the male. Pairs have been known to mate for life and may use the same nest for several years. They nest throughout this part of Minnesota and though some will migrate south in the winter, some will stay year-round. 

The species was highlighted for many years by the “Pale Male” that resided in New York City. The article in Wikipedia summarizes the popularity and notoriety of its activity near Central Park. It died in 2023 at the age of 33. LINK

The University of Minnesota Raptor Center rehabilitates injured hawks and provides a location where visitors can see red-tailed hawks year-round. You can learn more and hear the call of the red-tail at the link. LINK It may sound familiar because movies and TV shows use it whenever they want sound effects of soaring birds.

Perhaps our country’s most populous hawk, the red-tailed hawk is a favorite fellow-traveler on our road trips within Carver County and beyond. Sometimes it becomes a commuter special because it chooses the same perch along the highway as we wish it “good hunting,” and maybe it returns the wish and hopes for our safe driving.

For more information:

• The Sibley Guide to Birds, David Allen Sibley
• Birds of Minnesota, Robert B. Janssen
• Breeding Birds of Minnesota, Pfannmuller, Niemi and Green
• The Audubon Society’s Encyclopedia of North American Birds, John K. Terres
• Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• The University of Minnesota Raptor Center 
• Online: All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology LINK This website provides photos showing the plumage variation in sub-species.
• Online: Minnesota Seasons – Exploring Nature in Minnesota LINK
• Online: Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas