The global population of 2,000,000 or more is considered stable or slightly increasing, although numbers may be declining slightly in the mixed-woodland plains of far eastern Canada. The species' diet includes a wide variety of small to medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, and fresh carrion. Occasionally, members of this species capture insects and other prey on foot. It may also catch bats and other, highly concentrated, flying prey in the air. Where it inhabits closed-canopy tropical forests, however, the Red-tail dives on prey from the air far above the canopy. The species is primarily a sit-and-wait predator and generally requires elevated perch sites for hunting. However, Red-tails also nest in high densities in closed-canopy rain and cloud forests in tropical regions. Throughout its range, this hawk typically inhabits open areas interspersed with patches of trees or structurally similar features. Young leave the nest 42-46 days after hatching, but may remain associated with parents up to six months longer. Clutch size is typically 2-3, and incubation lasts about 28 days. In interior North America, first eggs are laid in mid-late March, but eggs are known as early as December in the tropics. At least in sedentary birds, mates stay paired throughout the year. Territory size varies with habitat and food availability but typically ranges from about 1.25 km 2 to more than 2.5 km 2 minimum reported inter-nest distance is 0.32 km. Territories are vigorously defended at least during the breeding season, and may be defended year-round by sedentary birds and where overwintering density is high. Generally monogamous, this species initiates courtship and maintains the pair bond with spectacular aerial maneuvers performed by both members of the pair. In northernmost populations most individuals migrate south, while those breeding in the southern U.S. Migration is diurnal, with the extent of migration varying annually depending on weather, especially snow cover. Some populations are polymorphic in ventral coloration (i.e., polychromatic), ranging from nearly white to nearly black, and extensive inter-gradation among adjacent subspecies complicates taxonomic relationships. Races are usually distinguished by ventral coloration, tail markings, and/or size, but there is no clear geographic trend in any of these characters. The species varies greatly across its range, with up to 16 subspecies recognized by various authorities. Breeding behavior, summer food habits, and habitat use have been well documented in many of these regions, but the taxonomic status of some populations remains unclear. One of the most widespread and commonly observed birds of prey in North America, the Red-tailed Hawk (hereafter Red-tail) occupies a broad range of habitats from central Alaska south to Venezuela and east to the Virgin Islands. This species account is dedicated in honor of Jerry Liguori, a long-time contributor to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, whose knowledge, passion, and dedication to the study of North American raptor identification is unsurpassed. Species names in all available languages Species names in all available languages Language
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |