Buteo jamaicensis
Roadsides, fields, and woodland edges across most of the continent. Large three-toed track with a rear toe, talons may show, often 3 inches or more.
What does a red-tailed hawk look like?
Broad-winged hawk. Adults have a brick-red tail. A dark band across the belly is common.
What do red-tailed hawk tracks look like?
A heavy raptor print at a kill or under a perch. Talon marks are long. Not a walking trail through the woods.
- Large three-toed track with a rear toe, talons may show, often 3 inches or more
- Usually one or two prints at a perch or a kill, not a long trail
- Red tail on adults if seen
- Dark belly band
- Pellets of fur under a pole or tree
What does red-tailed hawk poop look like?
Whitewash and fur pellets under a habitual pole, tree, or cliff perch. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Roadsides, fields, and woodland edges across most of the continent. Typical places: field, woods. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Cooper’s hawk identification
- Bald eagle identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
A broad-winged hawk with a red tail as an adult and often a dark band across a light belly.
How to tell a red-tailed hawk from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Cooper’s hawk. Rarely a clear trail. A long-tailed, short-winged hawk.
- Bald eagle. A very large bird print with deep talon holes. Adults are dark with a white head and tail.
Red-tailed hawk field marks
- Large three-toed track with a rear toe, talons may show, often 3 inches or more
- Usually one or two prints at a perch or a kill, not a long trail
- Red tail on adults if seen
- Dark belly band
Where the sign shows up
Roadsides, fields, and woodland edges across most of the continent. Typical places: field, woods. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
A heavy raptor print at a kill or under a perch. Talon marks are long. Not a walking trail through the woods. Whitewash and fur pellets under a habitual pole, tree, or cliff perch.
Common questions
What does a red-tailed hawk look like?
A broad-winged hawk with a red tail as an adult and often a dark band across a light belly.