Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Description:

A whitish underbelly with a dark brown band across the belly, formed by horizontal streaks in feather patterning, is present in most color variations. Especially in younger birds, the underside may be otherwise covered with dark brown spotting. The red tail, which gives this species its name, is uniformly brick-red above and light buff-orange below.

Notes:

This female red-tailed hawk lost an eye while defending its nest, and is therefore protected at an Audubon center since it can no longer survive in the wild.