Red-tailed hawks are one of the most common and widespread hawks in North America. They are large, broad-winged birds of prey that can be found soaring over open fields and perched atop telephone poles in both rural and urban environments. Red-tailed hawks are opportunistic predators and their diet can vary considerably based on habitat and available prey. However, there are some clear patterns in terms of their preferred foods.
Small Mammals
One of the red-tailed hawk’s favorite foods is small mammals. This includes rodents such as mice, voles, squirrels, and rabbits. Red-tailed hawks often hunt by soaring over an open area and scanning the ground for signs of movement. Once potential prey is spotted, the hawk folds its wings and dives down to snatch the animal up in its powerful talons. The red-tail’s preference for rodents likely arises from the fact that these animals tend to be abundant in the open habitats frequented by red-tails.
Some key facts about red-tailed hawks hunting small mammals:
- Rodents can comprise up to 90% of a red-tail’s diet in agricultural areas.
- Cottontail rabbits are a highly preferred prey item where available.
- Chipmunks, prairie dogs, and ground squirrels are also frequently taken.
- Average prey size is around 4 ounces.
Red-tailed hawks are well adapted to hunting and catching this type of small, fast-moving prey. Their broad wings allow them to soar slowly and search wide areas. And their powerful feet and curved talons are ideal for seizing and killing small mammals.
Birds
Though small mammals make up much of their diet, red-tailed hawks are also accomplished bird hunters. They prey on a wide variety of bird species, especially favoring those found living and feeding in open habitats similar to the areas red-tails themselves prefer. Some of the most common avian prey includes:
- Doves
- Pigeons
- Larks
- Blackbirds
- Starlings
- Woodpeckers
- Jays
- Sparrows
- Towhees
Red-tails hunt birds by patiently waiting in a perch and then swooping down rapidly to catch birds flushed by its presence. The hawk may also surprise birds feeding on the ground. The red-tail’s broad, rounded wings allow it to pursue prey through dense vegetation and perform sudden turns, enabling it to capture evasive birds.
Notable Bird Hunting Behaviors
- Cooper’s hawks are perhaps the red-tail’s most frequent avian prey since they share the same woodland and urban habitats.
- Red-tails occasionally hunt by flipping upside down to strike upward at flying birds from below.
- Migrating songbirds are especially vulnerable to red-tails hunting at hawk migration bottlenecks along ridges and coastlines.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Though not a primary food source, red-tailed hawks do opportunistically prey on reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and toads. These animals contribute a relatively small proportion of the overall diet.
Key facts about red-tailed hawks hunting herpetofauna include:
- Snakes are most frequently eaten, including rattlesnakes, racers, and garter snakes.
- Lizards such as swifts, skinks, and horned lizards are eaten occasionally.
- Turtles and frogs are rare prey items.
- Hawks may gather at wetlands during snake and frog breeding events.
- Road-cruising red-tails may eat turtles, snakes, and frogs killed by vehicles.
The red-tail’s habit of eating reptiles and amphibians likely stems from opportunistic hunting. These animals move relatively slowly and may be vulnerable when basking or moving through open areas. The hawk simply swoops down and grabs prey with its talons when the chance arises.
Invertebrates
One unusual aspect of the red-tailed hawk’s diet is its occasional predation on large invertebrates including grasshoppers, cicadas, beetles, and even tarantulas. These large insects and spiders likely provide a concentrated protein meal. Experts theorize that red-tails may eat more invertebrates than realized since feathers and fur are more readily identifiable in pellets than insect exoskeletons.
Key aspects of red-tailed hawks preying on invertebrates:
- Most invertebrate consumption occurs during high population boom years.
- Cicadas are eagerly eaten during emergence years which occur every 13-17 years in many areas.
- Grasshoppers and Mormon crickets are preyed upon when outbreaks occur.
- Tarantulas may be opportunistically eaten during dispersal for mating.
- Beetles may be eaten during dispersal flights such as June bugs.
Overall, invertebrates appear to be a supplemental food source instead of a primary component of the red-tailed hawk diet. But they do provide variety and concentrated nutrition during certain times of year.
Carrion
Red-tailed hawks are primarily predators that hunt live prey. However, they are also opportunistic scavengers that will readily feed on carrion (decaying flesh). This carrion is often in the form of dead mammals or birds the hawk encounters while hunting or soaring over open areas.
Some key notes about red-tailed hawks and carrion feeding:
- Road killed animals are frequently eaten source of carrion.
- Winter carrion feeding increases in harsh weather when live prey is scarce.
- Scavenged foods may include animals the hawk itself couldn’t successfully hunt.
- Carrion feeding may provide a buffer against starvation in lean times.
- Carcasses are often quickly detected thanks to the hawk’s keen eyesight.
The red-tailed hawk’s willingness to eat carrion puts it in more direct competition with species such as vultures and ravens which primarily scavenge for food. But carrion forms a relatively small part of the red-tail’s diet in most cases.
Supplemental Human Foods
One somewhat surprising aspect of the red-tailed hawk diet is the occasional consumption of human foods. While most hawks avoid human settlements altogether, urban red-tails may learn to utilize human food sources to supplement their diet.
Some ways red-tailed hawks exploit human foods:
- Eat at bird feeders attracted by congregations of doves, pigeons, and songbirds.
- Scavenge in fast food parking lots after people litter leftover French fries, hamburgers etc.
- Grab discarded pieces of pizza, sandwiches or meat from trash cans and landfills.
- Catch fish from backyard koi ponds and ornamental streams.
- Take advantage of pet food bowls left outside by owners.
While human food makes up a very small portion of the overall diet, some individual urban red-tails may rely on it for over half their daily calories during winter months when natural prey is scarce. This shows how adaptable and opportunistic red-tails can be.
Geographic Variation in Diet
The red-tailed hawk occupies an extremely large range across the entire continent of North America. Across this vast range, habitat and available prey species can vary enormously. As a result, the relative composition of the red-tailed hawk’s diet can shift significantly depending on where it lives. Here are some notable geographic dietary variations:
Region | Key Prey Items |
---|---|
Northeast | Voles, tree squirrels, cottontail rabbits, pigeons, jays |
Southeast | Cotton rats, snakes, lizards, songbirds |
Midwest | Pocket gophers, ground squirrels, sparrows, starlings |
Southwest | Jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, quail, roadrunners |
Pacific Northwest | Snowshoe hares, grouse, mountain beavers, jays |
As this table shows, red-tailed hawks are dietary generalists capable of thriving on whatever prey is available locally. This adaptability is key to the widespread success of this species across nearly the entire North American continent.
Conclusion
In summary, the red-tailed hawk is an opportunistic predator that consumes a wide variety of prey. Small mammals such as rodents and rabbits are dietary staples in most places. But red-tails also hunt birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates in addition to scavenging carrion. Urban red-tails may even exploit human food sources. The adaptability of this hawk to hunt whatever prey is locally abundant enables it to thrive across an incredibly diverse range of habitats.