Quick answer
Red-tailed Hawks feed on rodents, rabbits, reptiles and birds, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Open country, fields, deserts, and roadsides. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Key takeaway
Red-tailed Hawks feed on rodents, rabbits, reptiles and birds, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Open country, fields, deserts, and roadsides. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Red-tailed Hawk diet overview
Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) are best summarised as Carnivore (rodents, rabbits, reptiles, birds). Anatomy and habitat (Open country, fields, deserts, and roadsides) decide whether they hunt, graze, filter, scavenge, or mix strategies across the year.
How red-tailed hawks find food
Energy-rich foods are prioritised when available; lean seasons force broader diets or longer travel. Young animals may eat different items or receive food from parents.
Red-tailed Hawk role in the food web
As predators or scavengers, red-tailed hawks move nutrients and influence prey or vegetation.
Feeding and human conflict
Never feed wild red-tailed hawks. Habituation raises injury risk and can lead to lethal management. Captive diets must match species needs, not generic pet food rules.
Behavior and hunting
Red-tailed hawks hunt mostly by perching or soaring and then dropping onto prey with their powerful talons. Their eyesight is several times sharper than a human's, letting them spot a mouse from high above. They are highly adaptable and are often seen perched on fence posts, telephone poles, and trees beside highways, watching the grass below.
Appearance and the famous call
Adults are bulky hawks with broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail that is brick-red on top. Plumage varies widely from pale to dark birds across their range. Their hoarse, screaming "keeeer" is one of the most recognizable bird sounds in film and television, where it is frequently used as the voice of a bald eagle, which actually has a much weaker call.
Sources
Red-tailed Hawk FAQs
What do red-tailed hawks eat?
Red-tailed Hawks feed on rodents, rabbits, reptiles and birds, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Open country, fields, deserts, and roadsides. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
What is the scientific name of the red-tailed hawk?
Buteo jamaicensis — used in research and conservation listings for red-tailed hawks.
Where do red-tailed hawks live?
They are associated with Open country, fields, deserts, and roadsides. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of red-tailed hawks?
Listed in our guides as Least Concern. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.