Red-tailed Hawk

Description:

This large buteo hawk can be up to 65 cm (26 in) long with a wingspan of up to 145 cm (57 in). Males are smaller than the females. There are many color variations across its wide range. Adults have the red tail feathers, which gives them their name. This one happens to be an immature bird.

Habitat:

Red-tailed hawks are very adaptable and are found in many different habitat types across its range, including grasslands, forests, and mountains.

Notes:

This young bird had just been mist-netted and banded during migration as it flew along the ridgeline above Duluth, Minnesota. It was released to continue its journey south.