Hobbies And Interests
Types of Prey
Red-tailed hawks mostly eat mice, ground squirrels, small rabbits, reptiles and gophers. They choose prey that they can carry, which means animals that are half their body weight. Red-tailed hawks weigh between 1.5 lbs. to 3 lbs. If a red-tailed hawk weighs 2 lbs., then it can only choose prey that is 1 lb. or less. It is a common myth that red-tailed hawks used to snatch up farmer's chickens, but even the smallest chicken would weigh too much for this raptor.
Location of Prey
Red-tailed hawks prefer open areas such as fields or deserts. They also like places to perch to survey their prey. Hawks are territorial and won't look too kindly upon another hawk or bird of prey in their hunting area. Red-tailed hawks will defend their territory.
Hunting
Birds of prey have specific anatomy and abilities that benefit them in hunting such as: talons, speed, a hook- shaped beak and substantial eyesight. Because of their sharp and durable talons, red-tailed hawks have the ability to grasp onto their prey and hold tightly. They fly at a speed of 35 to 45 miles per hour. Red-tailed hawks' vision is two to three times better than humans. "It is believed that a red-tailed hawk can see a mouse a half mile away," according to Warner Nature Center website. One part of its anatomy is a disadvantage to the red-tailed hawk. They do not have eye muscles so they have to move their head in order to search for their prey.
Eating
Red-tailed hawks prefer to eat their prey alive. They eat their food quickly, gobbling it down. Red-tailed hawks have a widened esophagus that allows them to hold their food for a little while and digest small portions of it at a time. This allows the hawk to grab the prey on the ground and then fly up to a tree to let the prey digest in its stomach. In the wild, red-tailed hawks only need to eat every couple of days.