Red-tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis) A large stocky, broad-winged buteo usually with a dark head. There is great color variation including a light colored phase and a dark "melanistic" phase and some variation between the phases. The tail is usually brick red on top. The underparts are cream colored with cinnamon to black streaks on the sides of the breast, and a broad band of darker streaking across the belly. Red-tailed Hawks are found in a wide variety of habitats including open woodlands, plains and deserts with scattered trees. Photo taken 6/17/01.

The juvenile Red-tailed Hawk in this picture was found standing at the side of the road.

This Red-tailed Hawk learned to fly and hunt for its own food. It was successfully released.