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


Our Animals