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External Characteristics of the Red-Tailed Hawk

The red-tailed hawk is a large bird of prey commonly found in Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Due to the bird's size and body shape, it is strong although not as fast as other types of hawks. Some red-tailed hawks are so large that from a distance they are sometimes mistaken for eagles, but they have distinctive features and markings that help identify them.

Size and Shape
- The red-tailed hawk is one of the largest raptor birds. According to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens website, the red-tailed hawk's body ranges from 18 to 26 inches long and weighs between 2 and 4 lbs. The bird's wingspan can reach 45 to 56 inches long. Like all raptors, the females of the species are larger than the males. Red-tailed hawks are a part of the Buteo group of hawks that are known for their short, wide tail and broad wings that are shorter and rounder than other bird's wings.
Feathers
- The most tell-tale feature of the hawk are its red tail feathers. The feathers on the red-tailed hawk's body have the broadest color range out of all the raptor birds. Feathers located on the bird's head, back and wings can range from light auburn to dark brown. Feathers on the bird's chest can range from light cream to light brown with cinnamon-colored feathers on its neck. A dark streaked band can be found on the belly of most red-tailed hawks. The underneath of the wings are covered in white feathers, and a dark band can be found in the middle of the wing and on the edge.
Beak and Feet
- According to the Raptor Center website, the soft yellow skin on the feet, legs and base of the beak is called the cere. The hawk's feet have long, sharp talons that the bird uses to crush or pierce its prey. The bird's sharp and curved beak is used to kill and rip apart prey. Like most birds of prey, the red-tailed hawk has three talons on the front of its foot and one talon on the back of the foot.
Eyes
- The eye color of the red-tailed hawk depends on the age of the bird. Young juvenile birds have yellow eyes; mature older birds have dark brown or dark orange-colored eyes. According to the Stanford University website, it is not known exactly why the bird's eyes change color as it ages but scientists believe it helps some types of birds determine the sexual maturity of a potential mating partner. Red-tailed hawks have low brow ridges over their eyes that prevent the sun from getting in their eyes when they hunt. These birds also have eye lids just like humans and a third clear eyelid that slides in from the corner of their eye to protect their eyes while swooping into long grass and brush when hunting.

Animals & Science