A Brief Look at Some Red-tail Hawks

A few people have commented on the variety of Red-tail Hawk markings on some of the birds in the various posts we have created and how they can look quite different. We thought it a good idea to put together a collection of Red-tail Hawk images that we have taken at various locations over the years along with some explanatory narrative. It is either too windy, too cold, or snowing to allow us to do much of anything else today besides, this seems like fun.

This collection of images will give you a little better understanding as to the variation in markings that can be found on a Red-tail Hawk. We have placed a number at the start of each narrative and if you have a question or comment about a specific image, just use the number and we will try to answer your question.

Red-tail Hawk - 01

This is what we would call a standard looking Red-tail. It has a band across the lower chest or belly that is often referred to as a "Belly Band". These hawks most often, though not always have a brownish colored head as this one does. This is obviously the view from the front and we will look at other views shortly.

Red-tail Hawk - 02

This is just another almost ordinary Red-tail. It is colored a little lighter and the wind is ruffling it's feathers. Typical "Belly Band", and brown head.

Red-tail Hawk - 03

This image is a view of the back. You can see the reddish colored tail and the narrow dark banding on the tail that help identify the hawk. Also note that even in this “I am trying to dry out” posture the wing tips do not extend below the end of the tail, another field mark. In a Swainson’s Hawk for example, the wings extend below the tail, they have long wings.

Red-tail Hawk - 04

Here is the back of another Red-tail. The lighter markings, on each side of the back, are often called “Windows”, and they are clearly showing here. This is another field mark you can use in identifying a Red–tail. Also you can see the wing tips do not extend beond the length of the tail. Looking at the Hawks tail in this image there is no doubt it is a Red-tail.

Red-tail Hawk - 05

Uh-oh here is the back of another Red-tail. The purported windows look more like a stained glass design or shattered pieces of a window. Also the head is not a consistent brown. This is most likely a juvenile or first year bird and the plumage is still developing. Here, we can see that some field marks are not always definitive.

Red-tail Hawk - 06

Here we will start looking at some variations in markings. We can see the belly band but the colors and streaking are different than in the first two birds. Lots of variation as we shall see.

Red-tail Hawk - 07

Another variation in banding. Fairly clear “Belly Band” but getting darker in coloration. Note the streaking on the upper breast. There seems to be a wide variety in streaking as it pertains to the upper breast in all these examples. Some heavily streaked, some clear, some in between.

Red-tail Hawk - 08

This is another Red-tail, the belly band is present though it seems to be a bit lower and dark brown head. Rough-legged Hawks have dark banding marks on their lower belly but they also have several other distinguishing field marks.

Red-tail Hawk - 09

Wait-a- minute, wait-a-minute where did the “Belly Bands” go. This bird's entire front is mottled and there is not a distinctive band. He seems to be screaming at something. He does have the brown head and blocky stature of a Red-tail. Boy these Red-tail can sure look different.

Red-tail Hawk - 10

Here is another image and this bird is really light in appearance. Often the juveniles can have very different plumage and this is most likely a juvenile or young bird. It is as if they don’t know what their feathers should look like. Whitish head, whitish belly, whitish everything. The Red-tail will molt from it's juvenile plumage into adult plumage, including the red tail usually in the second year.

Red-tail Hawk - 11

This picture was taken in the Southwest, Arizona, not far from the border with Mexico. Many times the resident Southwest Red-tail will be lighter in color and not show any definite belly band. However in our experience we have seen a wide variety of color variances in the Southwest, the hawks are not all the same regardless of where you find them.

Red-tail Hawk - 12

Shifting back from light birds to darker Red-tails we find this image. The hawk does have a “Belly Band” but the overall coloration is getting dark. We can still see the somewhat narrow banding on the tail and certainly the head is an almost uniform darker brown.

Red-tail Hawk - 13

OK so we are getting even darker. The band across the mid section is hard to distinguish or non existent. Overall the bird appears very dark. This image was taken in dense fog hence it appears a little fuzzy.

Red-tail Hawk - 14

This coloration of a dark Red-tail is often referred to as a Rufous Morph. It is characterized by a reddish upper chest area and darker overall coloration. Perhaps the previous image is of a juvenile Rufous Red-tail. The term Morph is used to describe this coloration but in reality this hawk will not change or morph into anything different, he is what he is, color wise.

Red-tail Hawk - 15

Here is a dark chocolate Red-tail. We don’t very often see them this dark overall but they do exist. In winter we often see more darkly colored Red-tail Hawks and the purported reason is they have moved south from northern climates to survive the cold, snow, and ice. In reality you can probably see almost any color and marking variations at any location at any time. The hawks don't always go by our book and calendars.

Red-tail Hawk - 16

On the leading edge of the wings, going out from the head, in an area you might call the shoulders, are dark brown lines. These are called the petagium and clearly identify the Red-tail Hawk while in soaring flight. Note how broad the wings are, certainly a hawk built for soaring.

Red-tail Hawk - 17

This does not require you to think about field marks or how to identify Red-tail Hawks. Here are three chicks in a nest. They will soon grow up to be efficient rodent hunters but who knows what they will look like. Just a fun picture.

Red-tail Hawk - 18

OK now we have done it. This hawk doesn’t follow many of the various field marks we have discussed. It does seem to have a “Belly Band’ but the bird is basically dark gray and white. The head is definitely not brown. What kind of a Red-tail is this? Perhaps another juvenile? We have asked various bird gurus what this hawk might be and the overall consensus is that it is a Red-tail, so we will go with that conclusion. You may have a different thought or opinion, if so, send us an e-mail or post a comment and let us know what you think.

We hope that you enjoyed this blog post and maybe even learned a little along the way or at the least got to think a bit. There will not be a test on this material and certainly no homework so you are free to go out and look for Red-tail Hawks.

As always let us know if you have any questions or comments.

All the best – George & Deanna