Brenda
Brenda is a female Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) who came
to us in February of 2001 after she was found hanging from a tree by her
right wing. Upon being examined, it was discovered that she had been
shot with a pellet gun multiple times. Although her left wing is still
completely intact, arthritis has taken over and she cannot extend her wing.
Brenda's coloring is different from the medium-brown color of most
Red-tailed Hawks. Other than her red tail feathers, all her other
feathers are a deep, rich brown color. This dark color pattern is called a
"dark morph", or melanistic, and is found in no more than 20% of the
Red-tailed Hawk population.
Red-tailed Hawks can be found all aver North America, and as far north as
central Alaska and south to Panama. They are members of the genus
Buteo which is made up of the larger soaring hawks. These birds have
broad wings and tails which allow them to soar over open areas and they can
often be found circling over fields in search of food. Other members
of the Buteo family found in Washington include the Swainson's
Hawk, the Rough-legged Hawk, the Ferruginous Hawk, and the Red-shouldered
Hawk.
Red Tailed Hawks typically weigh between 2 and 3 pounds. There is no
physical difference between males and females other than that the females
tend to be about one third larger than males. Adult birds are
typically dark brown on their backs and on the tops of their wings.
Their undersides are generally light with markings on their wings that can
be described as a dash followed by a comma located near the shoulder and
extending out toward the primary feathers. Adults may also show a
light colored patch of feathering on their chests, commonly referred to as a
“sunburstâ€. Immature Red-tailed Hawks resemble the adults but their
tails are brown with stripes. They will get their red tail with the
first molt at one year of age.
Red-tailed Hawks are very well adapted to locate prey from great distances.
Their eyesight is at least eight times more powerful than that of humans!
In other words, if a hawk were to stand at one end of a football field he
would be able to see a grasshopper jump across the end zone on the opposite
end with ease!
Red-tailed Hawks are opportunistic hunters and will eat animals as diverse
as rabbits, porcupines, snakes, lizards, insects and birds. However,
85% - 90% of their diet is made up of small rodents.
