Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Red-tailed hawks are the most widespread hawks in North American, often seen soaring above the landscape.
Like all raptors, Red-tailed hawks have a third eyelid, called a nictitating membrane, which is a semi-transparent lid that moves from side to side to help keep the eye moist and clean
Red-tailed hawks have different color morphs. They can range from nearly all white, to a deep dark brown, and everything in between.
The call of the Red-tail is often heard in the movies, as an Eagle is shown soaring over a beautiful vista. Unfortunately for the Red-tail, they never get credit for their very shrill call.
Click HERE for a Red-Tailed Hawk Activity Sheet!
Our Current Residents
Amarillo - Estimated Hatch Date - 2017
Like most of the Zoo's raptors, Amarillo came to ZooMontana due to a permanent wing injury. It is unknown what injured him, although it was most likely a car strike. Amarillo can be seen sunning himself within the Raptor habitat at the Zoo.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
- Genus: Buteo
- Species: Buteo jamaicensis
Animal Facts
- Carnivore
- Common
- Grasslands
- Diurnal