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Brenda
Brenda
is a female Red-Tailed Hawk 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.
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Red Tailed Hawks can be found all aver North America,
and as far north as
central Alaska and south to Panama. They are part of the Buteo family
which is made up of the largest 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
patch of feathering on their chests, commonly referred to as a sunburst.
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. Hawks are very well adapted to locate prey from great distances. Their
eyesight is at least eight times more powerful than that of humans and
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, snakes, lizards, insects and other birds, although
85% - 90% of their diet is made up of small rodents. They will also eat
carrion and road kill when it is available.
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