The red-tailed hawk is one of the most common and widespread hawks in North America. When seen soaring overhead, its distinctive flight profile makes it easy to identify.
Identifying Features
Some key features to look for when identifying a red-tailed hawk in flight include:
- Broad, rounded wings
- A short, wide tail with a dark band towards the tip
- Dark patagial marks (commonly referred to as wrist marks) on the leading edge of the underside of the wings
- A dark bellyband formed by dark streaking on the belly
- Pale underwing coverts contrasting with darker flight feathers
The combination of broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail give the red-tailed hawk a chunky, squared-off shape in flight. The dark patagial marks on the underside of the wings are also a helpful ID feature. When seen from below, they stand out clearly against the pale underwing coverts.
Wing Shape
The wings of red-tailed hawks are broad and rounded. When fully spread in flight, the wings are fairly rectangular with softly rounded wingtips. The broad shape of the wings allows red-tails to soar and glide efficiently without needing to flap constantly.
In comparison to other common raptors like the slender, pointy-winged sharp-shinned hawk or the long-winged and more angular-looking Cooper’s hawk, the proportionately shorter, broader wings of the red-tailed hawk give it a very distinct wing shape.
Tail Shape
The red-tailed hawk’s tail is relatively short for a large raptor. It is broad and fan-shaped when spread fully in flight. The tail appears almost rectangular when seen from below or above.
The single most distinctive feature is the red tail that gives this species its name. The tail has a clearly visible dark band towards the tip, setting off the rufous-red tail base. The contrast makes the red color stand out brightly in flight.
The red tail is usually easy to see on adults but can be variable on younger birds. Some immatures may show a partially red tail or just a few red feathers mingled with brown. Tail color is not a reliable ID feature for young red-tails.
Belly Markings
The underside of a red-tailed hawk in flight shows a bellyband formed by dark streaks on the whitish underside. This band of streaking extends across the belly and helps distinguish red-tails from raptors with unmarked white underparts like the rough-legged hawk.
The dark patagial marks on the underside of the wings contrast noticeably with the paler wing linings. These blackish wrist marks are a consistent feature and help clinch the ID of a red-tailed hawk.
Plumage Variations
Red-tailed hawks exhibit a wide range of plumage variations. The most common color morphs are the light morph (the classic red-tailed hawk appearance) and the dark morph (very dark overall). The harlan’s and Krider’s morphs are also distinctive variants.
Despite the plumage differences, all color morphs share the same broad, rounded wing shape and broad, short tail with a dark band. These consistent flight characteristics aid in identification.
Light Morph
The light morph red-tailed hawk is the most familiar color variant. Light morphs have a brownish upper side with a variable amount of white mottling. The belly is whitish with heavy streaking that forms a dark bellyband.
Light morphs make up around 90% of red-tailed hawk populations in most regions. This is the classic red-tailed hawk look that most people think of.
Dark Morph
The dark morph plumage is a striking blackish-brown overall with a dark bellyband. The tail still shows the typical red base. Dark morphs occur as around 10% of most red-tailed hawk populations.
In flight, dark morph red-tails can suggest a raven or crow from a distance. But the broad wings and short, banded tail are key to telling them apart from other dark-plumaged birds.
Harlan’s Hawk
This variant is nearly all dark with variable white mottling on the underside. It occurs in western North America and is more common in the northern part of the red-tail’s range. The dark wrists patches help identify it.
Krider’s Hawk
Krider’s red-tails have a variable mix of light and dark plumage. The head and belly tend to be pale while the upper side shows dark mottling and streaks. Like other morphs, the pattern of dark patagial marks and bellyband holds true.
Flight Behavior
Red-tailed hawks are versatile fliers. They may be seen soaring or gliding aloft for long periods, holding their wings in a slight dihedral. With speedy, powerful wingbeats they can also cruise over open country when hunting.
Displaying red-tails engage in spectacular aerial maneuvers and dives. When chasing prey, they fly with strong, agile flight low over the ground. Their flight abilities allow them to thrive across a wide range of habitats.
Soaring
Soaring and gliding are energy-efficient ways for red-tailed hawks to search for prey from a high vantage point. Using air currents and thermals, red-tails can remain aloft while expending minimal effort.
When soaring, red-tails hold their wings flat or slightly uplifted. The broad hand and arm wing catch the air like a sail, allowing the hawk to drift smoothly along.
Cruising
Red-tailed hawks frequently cruise over open habitats like fields, agricultural lands, and grasslands when hunting. With a few quick wingbeats followed by a short glide, they fly low over the ground to flush and pursue prey.
Cruising flight is more labored than soaring but allows red-tails to actively survey the ground while on the hunt. This hunting style is especially common for young red-tails.
Aerial Displays
Courtship displays incorporate dramatic aerial maneuvers. These include high soaring, plunging dives with wings tucked, rolls, and cartwheels. The red tail is prominently spread during dives and chasing.
Intense aerial displays help pairs reinforce their bond. These death-defying moves highlight the incredible aerial mastery for which red-tailed hawks are renowned.
Confusion Species
The red-tailed hawk’s broad, rounded wing shape and readily-identified tail help distinguish it from other raptors in flight. But some confusion is possible with a few species.
Rough-legged Hawk
Rough-legged hawks overlap in range with red-tails during winter months. The long, slim wings and wrist markings can suggest a red-tail at first glance. However, rough-legs have an unbanded tail and lack the bellyband.
Ferruginous Hawk
Larger than a red-tail with a more angular head projection, the long broad wings of a ferruginous hawk have a similar shape. But the tail is all white without a dark band.
Northern Harrier
Cruising harriers holding their wings in a dihedral can vaguely resemble a red-tail. However, details like owl-like face, slimmer wings, and white rump patch help distinguish harriers.
Broad-winged Hawk
Medium-sized broad-wings share the red-tail’s chunky silhouette. But they have a longer, banded tail and more contrasting wing markings underneath. The wing shape appears less rectangular.
Swainson’s Hawk
Though lankier, Swainson’s hawks have proportionately short, broad wings suggesting a red-tail. But Swainson’s have a longer, thin tail without a dark band.
Concluding Thoughts
With its distinctive wing shape, tail pattern, and markings, an overhead red-tailed hawk presents an unmistakable sight. Becoming familiar with the characteristic flight profile makes red-tails easy to pick out, whether soaring, gliding, or cruising.
Subtle variations in plumage do not change the standard field marks that identify red-tailed hawks in flight. Understanding these consistent features allows birders and enthusiasts to recognize these majestic raptors as they take to the skies.