Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Description
Red-tailed Hawks are one of the most widespread and commonly seen hawks in the country. They live in a wide variety of habitats, preferring woodlands with broken canopies and open spaces. Wings are broad and rounded. Adults have a rusty red tail and a dark streaked band on their belly. Juveniles have brown tail with dark bands.
Diet
Their diet consists of primarily small to medium sized rodents, but they will also hunt birds, snakes and a variety of other prey species.
Migration
These hawks are found in Colorado year-round.
Breeding
Red-tailed Hawks will return to the same nesting grounds year after year. They typically have one brood with one to four eggs per year, but may renest if the eggs do not hatch or the nest is destroyed. Egg-laying usually begins in mid-late March and incubation is about 28 days. After hatching, young stay in the nest for five to six weeks before they fledge.