![]() Some pairs remain together year round others may separate after the breeding season. Most hawks pair for life, but if one partner dies, the other will quickly find a new mate. Here in the northeast, hawks typically breed in the late spring or early summer. In some species, such as Sharp-shinned Hawks, females can weigh twice as much as males. This sexual size difference is often appreciable. In many animal species the males are larger and stronger, but in hawks the difference in size between the sexes is reversed, and females are larger. Not only can hawks see greater distances than humans, but their visual acuity (the ability to see clearly) is eight times that of ours. Their sense of hearing is excellent, and their eyesight the best in the entire animal world. Some species undertake long migrational journeys, traveling thousands of miles each year – a testimony to their strength and stamina. Swift fliers, some hawks can attain speeds of over 150 mph when diving. Their feet are equipped with sharp, curved talons for capturing prey, and their strong beaks are hooked for biting and tearing flesh. It has been going on for millions of years and is, in fact, a necessary function which helps to maintain nature’s balance. They catch, kill, and eat a wide variety of other animals in order to survive. For instance, an American Kestrel weighs only 4 ounces, while a Bald Eagle can weigh 13 pounds – 52 times as much. Although all hawks have certain basic similarities such as keen eyesight, hooked beaks and taloned feet, a wide diversity of forms and sizes exists among them. Sixteen species that regularly occur in New Jersey are described on this website. All are classified as birds of prey, or raptors. Worldwide there are approximately 270 species of carnivorous birds that comprise the order Falconiformes – the scientific name for hawks. The Migratory Bird Act makes its illegal to hunt or capture the red-tailed hawk.“Hawk” is a general term used to describe the entire group of diurnal (active by day) predatory birds. The red-tailed hawk was once on the path to becoming an endangered bird, but has made an incredible comeback. Red-tailed hawks have life spans of up to 20 years. Mated pairs will remain monogamous for life. The male will patrol the territory while the female will remain behind and aggressively defend the nest area. Mated pairs will claim territories of up to 2 square miles. Courtship often consists of extravagant aerial displays performed between the male and female. They use their powerful sharp talons to grip and kill their prey.īreeding occurs between late March and early May. Red-tailed hawks hunt small rodents and reptiles. The tail is a rusty red color, hence the name. The belly is often cream-colored scattered with dark spotting. The birds are dark brown with occasional shades of gray on the back. Red-tailed hawks measure between 18 and 25 inches in length, and possess wingspans of up to 4 feet. They also inhabit open areas such as swamps, deserts, tundra, plains and agricultural fields. The red-tailed hawk lives in coniferous and deciduous forests as well as tropical forests. Birds in the northernmost latitudes may migrate south for the winter. Red-tailed hawks can be found throughout the United States, Southern Canada and Central America. ![]()
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