| Description |
sturdy looking bird with short, rounded wings and fanned tails; adults have mottled chocolate-colored backs with lighter brown shoulder patches; the tail is brick red, from which they originally derived their name; the breast is white with a dark belly band across the abdomen; however, some birds are so light as to appear albino; immature birds are heavily banded (vertically) on the breast and chest and have a greyish to brownish tail with black bands; immature birds develop the adult coloration after the first year; juveniles' eye color also changes during this period from a yellowish brown to a dark brown at maturity |
| Sex |
virtually identical; females slightly larger than males |
| Age |
25 years |
| Length |
16-24" |
| Wingspan |
3-4' |
| Weight |
2-4 lbs. |
| Habitat |
wide range of habitats; woodlands adjacent to open country is preferred; also inhabit deserts, forests, various elevations; migrate in winter as far south as the Gulf Coast and Nicaragua |
| Status |
one of the most common raptors, especially in the midwestern U.S. |
| Range |
throughout North America |
| Behavior |
perch atop telephone poles and tall trees, scanning the ground for prey; build large stick nests usually lined with grass, moss, and pine needles; nest usually located in a large tree between 30-60 feet in height; may have 2 or 3 alternate nests; nests average 28-38" wide; clutch of 2-4 eggs laid; incubation by both sexes for 28-35 days; young fledge at about 42 days |
| Diet |
opportunistic hunter; primary prey is small mammals (rabbits, squirrels); also takes rodents, snakes and fish |
| Vocalization |
loud, high-pitched scream, "tsee-eeee-arrr"; this cry usually given in territorial defense; the scream can last for 2-3 seconds; they scream while perched or soaring |
| Other Information |
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