Buteo Jamaicensis

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey common to just about all of North America, easily identified by its brick-red tail feathers. The female, which is 25% larger than the male, can be over two feet tall and have a wing span more than four feet across. You are likely to see them pretty much wherever you live, if you take the time to notice them. They can be found in deserts, grasslands, woods, farmers' fields and cities. Keep a careful eye out along highways for them to be sitting motionless in trees and atop poles. They are frequently spotted being chased by groups of crows, and their distinctive call is a movie and television favorite.

I admire their patience, strength, and graceful flight. While they can reach speeds up to 120 mph when diving, they normally glide along slowly and deliberately on gentle flaps of their large wings. They prefer to expend their energies on productive activities, and that trait only adds to my admiration for them. I have used 'redtail' in my domain name since I first put up my portfolio website in 2000.