Description: The red-tailed hawk is Florida's largest hawk. Their wingspan averages 50 inches and they are almost 2 feet tall. They are dark brown above, and the chest and under side of the wings are light colored with brown streaks. Their tail is a deep reddish brown color.
They are found throughout the entire continental United States, northern Alaska and most of Canada. Their southern range extends down to Nicaragua. They can survive in just about any type of habitat, but they prefer mixed country of fields and wooded areas. They are found in the uplands of Florida.
The breeding season in Florida lasts from February to June. Red-tailed hawks normally lay 2-3 eggs that incubate in about a month. The young usually fledge in 45 days.
Red-tailed hawks prefer to hunt in open areas. The largest part of their diet is rodents. They will also eat other animals like snakes, lizards, and insects.
Red-tailed hawks are very widespread and adapt well to many different environments. Like all birds of prey, they are highly protected. It is illegal to hunt or disturb them in any way, keep them as a pet, or even keep their feathers!
