Quick Answer
Red-tailed hawks are not generally considered aggressive birds, but they will defend their nests and territories from perceived threats. As predators, red-tails can exhibit aggressive hunting behaviors, but they tend to avoid conflicts when possible.
Overview of Red-Tailed Hawk Behavior
The red-tailed hawk is one of the most common and widespread raptor species in North America. These hawks occupy a variety of habitats across the continent, including forests, deserts, grasslands, and urban areas. Here are some key facts about red-tailed hawk behavior:
- Diet: Red-tails are carnivorous and prey on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
- Hunting: They primarily hunt from perches, swooping down on prey. Red-tails are also known to “kettling” (circle high on thermals) to spot prey.
- Territoriality: Breeding pairs establish territories and defend them from intruders.
- Nesting: Nests are often built high up in trees, on ledges, or other platforms. Both parents help build the nest and raise young.
- Migration: Northern populations migrate south for the winter while other populations may be year-round residents.
- Vocalizations: Red-tails make a wide range of calls including the high-pitched “keeeeer” often associated with these raptors.
Overall, red-tailed hawks display a mix of aggressive hunting behaviors and more passive behaviors related to breeding and territoriality. Their natural history provides context for evaluating if and when red-tailed hawks exhibit aggression.
Are Red-Tailed Hawks Aggressive Towards Humans?
Red-tailed hawks are not aggressive towards humans under normal circumstances. However, they can display aggressive behaviors when defending their nests and territories.
Here are some examples of when red-tailed hawk aggression may occur:
- During the breeding season if people get too close to a nest. Both male and female red-tails will dive at perceived threats.
- If people encroach on a breeding pair’s established territory.
- If people attempt to handle young hawks in a nest.
It is best to avoid antagonizing nesting red-tails and give them ample space. Aggressive behaviors are their way of communicating “back off”.
Outside of breeding season and territories, red-tailed hawks largely ignore and avoid humans. They may perch comfortably near human activity and reap the benefits of hunting rodents attracted to our neighborhoods and farms. These hawks are generally not bothered by people going about their business.
Risks from Aggressive Hawks
True hawk attacks are rare, but aggressive nest defense can still pose some risks:
- Scratches or puncture wounds from talons
- Injuries from beaks making contact
- Being frightened or startled resulting in accidents like falling
However, there are no known cases of a healthy wild red-tailed hawk killing a human.
Are Red-Tailed Hawks Aggressive Towards Pets?
Red-tailed hawks may show aggression towards pets, particularly cats and small dogs. Their predator instincts can kick in if an opportunity presents itself.
Here are some scenarios when red-tailed hawks may go after pets:
- If pets are allowed to roam unsupervised outdoors, especially smaller pets weighing under 20 pounds
- Around nest sites, both urban and rural, where nesting hawks are on high alert for any intruders
- Predation attempts on very small pets like Chihuahuas, hamsters, etc. that a hawk might mistake for prey
Actual predation events are fairly uncommon as most pet cats and dogs are too large for a red-tail to manage. But attacks may still occur and result in injury. Pet owners should supervise outdoor pets and be wary near known hawk nests.
Dealing with Aggressive Hawks
If a red-tailed hawk becomes aggressive towards people or pets, here are some tips:
- Avoid the area and hawk if possible until fledglings leave the nest
- Keep pets indoors or supervise them closely
- Use an umbrella to shield yourself if diving continues
- Do not attempt to disturb, handle, or relocate hawks or nests
- Contact wildlife authorities for serious issues
Remaining calm and keeping distance will allow the hawks to cool down. The aggression usually passes once the perceived threat is out of the territory.
Are Red-Tailed Hawks Aggressive Towards Other Birds?
Red-tailed hawks are predators, so they do show aggression towards other birds in order to hunt and feed. They primarily target small to medium sized birds like doves, pigeons and various songbirds but may also mob larger avian threats.
Some examples of red-tailed hawk aggression towards other bird species:
- Chasing down smaller birds in flight during hunts
- Fighting with birds of prey like Great Horned Owls over territory
- Mobbing and diving at predators that get near the nest, including other hawks
- Competitive aggression over food resources towards other scavengers
This predatory behavior is all part of their natural role in the ecosystem helping to regulate prey populations, compete with other raptors, and feed their young.
Backyard Birds and Hawks
In backyards frequented by songbirds, feeders and birdbaths may inadvertently attract hawks looking for an easy meal. Homeowners may witness or hear altercations between hawks and their regular backyard birds.
To reduce conflicts, try these tips:
- Position feeders and birdbaths away from dense cover that hawks can hide in
- Bring feeders in at night when hawks are most active hunting
- Use feeders that enclose or protect feeding birds
- Limit amount of food to reduce presence of prey birds
Hawks are just doing what comes naturally to them as predators. Their presence indicates a robust local ecosystem.
Hunting Behaviors and Aggression in Red-Tailed Hawks
When it comes to securing meals, red-tailed hawks exhibit a range of aggressive hunting strategies tailored to catching different types of prey on the wing or on the ground.
Here are some examples of aggressive hunting behaviors:
- Stooping – From a perch or soaring, red-tails enter a sharp, swift dive with wings folded when targeting prey in open areas.
- Burst gliding – They chase prey through dense cover with a flap, flap, glide method allowing for tight maneuvering.
- Low flying – Cruising close to the ground or bushwhacking to flush hiding prey and take them by surprise.
- Pursuit flight – If prey tries to escape, red-tails shift to speedy direct pursuit mode to run it down in the air.
- Talon strikes – Using sharp talons and strong legs to subdue and kill prey quickly after vectored stoops or short pursuits.
These tactics demonstrate the impressive aerial capabilities and predatory instincts of red-tailed hawks even though they tend to be cautious around anything they cannot kill and eat.
Defending Prey from Mobbing Birds
After making a kill, red-tails often have to fend off mobs of crows, jays, and other birds harassing them to try and steal the prey. Red-tails may aggressively face down these birds by:
- Spreading wings and tail to appear more imposing
- Crouching over prey with wings uplifted
- Vocalizing loudly
- Making mock strikes at mobbers
This mobbing behavior tests the hawk’s ability to defend its food aggressively.
When Are Red-Tailed Hawks Most Aggressive?
Red-tailed hawks exhibit more frequent and intense aggression during distinct phases of their annual life cycles:
Breeding Season
As red-tails move into the breeding season from February to July, they become more territorial and aggressive near nest sites. Both males and females will chase, vocalize, dive bomb, and attack intruders. This aggressive behavior reaches its peak as eggs are laid and hatchlings emerge.
Fall Migration
In areas where red-tailed hawks migrate for the winter, aggressive behavior may increase in late summer and fall as large numbers converge on prime hunting territories. The abundance of hawks competing for limited resources leads to conflict.
Winter Food Shortages
When prey is scarce from December to February, red-tails may show increased aggression around prime hunting and foraging spots. Competition forces hawks to act more assertively when defending carcasses and capturing prey.
By contrast, red-tailed hawks are least aggressive in late summer after fledging young. They are focused on replenishing energy and quietly hunting. Understanding these cycles helps predict and interpret red-tail behavior throughout the year.
Red-Tailed Hawk Territorial Displays
Red-tailed hawks engage in several exaggerated territorial displays that can look aggressive but serve more as warnings rather than preludes to attack.
Sky-Dancing
A spirited flying display with dives, climbs, and acrobatics typically performed by the male during the breeding season. It helps define territories and court females.
Undulating Flight Display
Flapping flight in an exaggerated up-and-down pattern shows off the contrasting red tail while defending territories.
High Soaring
Soaring high over a breeding territory in circles alerts intruders to vacate the area.
Crouching
Perching in a semi-crouched position with feathers fluffed up increases the hawk’s apparent size to would-be challengers.
These displays are meant to impress and intimidate intruders without actual combat. Paying heed to these warnings is advised.
Interactions with Other Hawks
Red-tailed hawks may show aggression towards smaller raptors like sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper’s hawks when defending territories. They are frequently chased out of the area though rarely injured.
When it comes to larger raptors, red-tails avoid confrontations and will posture submissively or depart to avoid conflict with eagles, ferruginous hawks, and great horned owls. These interactions demonstrate how red-tails modulate aggression depending on their chances of winning.
Against evenly matched rivals like other red-tails, aggressive displays usually resolve territorial disputes without actual combat, reinforcing this species preference for posturing over fighting.
Common Territory Intruders
Intruder Species | Red-Tail Response | Risk of Injury |
---|---|---|
Sharp-shinned Hawk | Chase and divebomb | Low |
Cooper’s Hawk | Vocalizations, swoops | Low |
Great Horned Owl | Avoidance | Moderate |
Red-tailed Hawk | Display flights | Very Low |
Conclusion
While fully capable of aggression when threatened or competing for prey and territories, red-tailed hawks should not be considered dangerously aggressive overall. They are not prone to unprovoked attacks on people or pets.
However, they will fervently defend active nest sites and display true predatory behavior against perceived prey. Caution is warranted in understanding and respecting red-tailed hawks without exaggerating the risks. With proper space and care around nesting areas, these majestic raptors can be admired and enjoyed without great risk of conflict.