Red hawks are large, majestic birds of prey that are found across North America. Their scientific name is Buteo jamaicensis, which comes from the fact that they were first scientifically described in Jamaica. Red hawks are medium-sized hawks with distinctive reddish-brown upperparts and pale underparts with reddish barring. They have long, broad wings and wide, fanned tails which help them maneuver skillfully in flight. Red hawks are found in a variety of open habitats including grasslands, shrublands, savannas, deserts, and along the edges of woodlands. Their range extends from southern Canada through the continental United States, Mexico, Central America, and even into parts of South America. But where exactly are red hawks native to originally? To answer this question, we need to look at the historical range of red hawks before European settlement.
Original Native Range in North America
Red hawks are indigenous to North America and evolved here over thousands of years. Based on historical accounts and archaeological evidence, we know that before European colonization, red hawks were widespread and common across much of what is now the continental United States, southern Canada, Mexico, Central America, and even into northern South America. Here are some key details about their original native range:
– In Canada, red hawks were found across southern areas including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.
– Throughout the continental US, red hawks occupied nearly every state from the Atlantic to Pacific coasts. Their range spanned as far north as Alaska and all the way south throughout Florida.
– In Mexico, red hawks inhabited areas along both the Pacific and Gulf coastal regions as well as inland areas.
– Red hawks also occupied parts of Central America including Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
– The southernmost reaches of their range even extended into northern South America in areas of Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
So in summary, red hawks were native to a vast swath of North America ranging from northern South America up through Central America, Mexico, the continental United States, and into southern Canada prior to European colonization. This diverse geographical range allowed red hawk populations to adapt to many different habitats and ecological niches across the Americas.
Current Native Range
Today, centuries after European settlement, the native range of red hawks has contracted but the birds still occupy much of their original range. Here is an overview of where red hawks are currently found as native residents:
– In Canada, red hawks remain common across southern provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
– In the continental US, red hawks are still found in every state although their populations have declined in some Midwestern and Northeastern regions. They remain common in western states, throughout the south, and along both coasts.
– Red hawks occupy most of Mexico although their range has contracted in some central areas. They are found along both the Pacific and Gulf Coasts, and throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.
– In Central America, red hawk populations are smaller and more fragmented but they still occur in many protected areas in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, and Guatemala.
– Red hawks are rare and local in northern South America, found in a few isolated populations in Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
So while human impacts have reduced red hawk populations in some regions, they remain common across much of their original native range in North America. Protected areas and regulations have helped conserve habitat and allow red hawk populations to persist. Their adaptability likely contributed to the species maintaining such a broad native distribution across multiple countries and diverse geographical areas.
Favored Habitats Within Native Range
Within their native range, red hawks occupy diverse habitats including temperate forests, tropical rainforests, deserts, grasslands, wetlands, and more. Here is an overview of some of the favored habitats red hawks occupy within different parts of their range:
Canada and Northern USA
– Deciduous and mixed forests – nesting occurs at forest edges and openings
– Coniferous forests – nests are built in mature trees
– Rivers and streams – riparian areas provide hunting habitat
– Lakeshores – nesting and hunting occur around lakes
– Grasslands – nests are built in isolated trees and hunting occurs over grasslands
– Farmlands – red hawks nest and hunt around croplands and pastures
– Wetlands – ideal hunting habitat with abundant small mammals
Southern USA and Mexico
– Deserts – nesting and hunting occur in saguaro cacti and scrubland trees
– Chaparral – nests are built in shrubs and trees in this habitat
– Oak savannas – nesting and hunting in scattered oak trees
– Tropical rainforests – large trees are used for nesting and dense prey populations
– Mangrove forests – coastal nesting and hunting in mangroves
– Grasslands – nesting at edges and hunting over open areas
Central America
– Tropical rainforests – broad range of prey from birds to monkeys
– Cloud forests – nesting in epiphytes and hunting in dense vegetation
– Mangrove forests – nesting and hunting in coastal mangroves
– Plantations – nesting in shade trees within coffee and banana plantations
Caribbean Islands
– Tropical rainforests – dense forests provide prey and nest sites
– Plantations – nests built in shade trees within sugarcane and fruit orchards
– Mangroves – coastal mangrove forests used for nesting and hunting
– Scrub forests – drier island forests provide nesting habitat
Northern South America
– Tropical rainforests – large trees for nesting within the Amazon
– Savannas – nesting in scattered trees and hunting over open areas
– Mangrove forests – coastal mangroves used for nesting and hunting
– Scrub forests – drier forests nesting habitat and prey
So in summary, red hawks occupy diverse habitats across their range including temperate, tropical, and coastal forests, desert scrublands, wetlands, grasslands, and more. Their adaptability allows them to thrive across an extensive native range.
Population Status Within Native Range
Within their native range, red hawk populations vary from region to region. Here is an overview:
Canada and the Continental US
– Common and widespread, estimated 500,000 to 1 million pairs
– Populations declined mid-1900s but rebounded with protections
– Considered Least Concern by conservation groups
Mexico
– Still common but declining in some central and southern areas
– Estimated 10,000 to 100,000 pairs
– Habitat loss reducing populations in some regions
Central America
– Smaller fragmented populations of 1,000 to 10,000 pairs
– Declines due to deforestation and habitat loss
– Listed as Near Threatened by IUCN
Caribbean Islands
– Only Cuba and Hispaniola have native breeding populations
– Estimated 100 to 1000 pairs on each island
– Other islands have small isolated populations
Northern South America
– Very small isolated populations of less than 100 pairs
– Deforestation reducing habitat across range
– Listed as Vulnerable by IUCN
So red hawk populations remain relatively healthy in Canada and the continental US but are declining in regions further south due to habitat loss and deforestation. Their adaptability and protected status has allowed them to rebound well in temperate North America. But tropical areas require more habitat conservation efforts to maintain red hawk populations.
Migration Patterns
Red hawks exhibit complex migration patterns across different regions of their range:
Canada and Northern USA
– Partially migratory – northern birds migrate south, southern birds are residents
– Migrate southern Canada to southern USA in winter
– Return in March/April to breed
Midwestern and Northeastern USA
– Mostly migratory populations
– Overwinter in southern USA and Mexico
– Return in April/May to breed
Southeastern and Southwestern USA
– Mostly year-round resident populations
– Make smaller local movements
– Disperse after breeding season
Mexico, Central and South America
– Mostly year-round resident populations
– Altitudinal migrations in mountainous regions
– Local movements based on seasonal prey and habitat
So in summary, northern red hawk populations migrate south for winter while southern populations are mostly year-round residents. The breeding range expands northward in spring as birds return to nesting territories. Flexible migration patterns help red hawks adapt to seasonal changes across their extensive native range.
Diet Within the Native Range
Red hawks are opportunistic predators and their diet varies across their range based on available prey:
Canada and Northern USA
– Small mammals – squirrels, rabbits, mice
– Birds – doves, starlings, blackbirds
– Reptiles – snakes, lizards
– Amphibians – frogs, toads
– Insects – grasshoppers, crickets
Midwestern and Southern USA
– Small mammals – rabbits, ground squirrels, rats, voles
– Birds – quail, grouse, jays, blackbirds, grackles
– Reptiles – snakes, lizards
– Insects – grasshoppers, cicadas, beetles
Southwestern USA and Mexico
– Mammals – rabbits, rats, bats, kangaroo rats
– Birds – quail, doves, cuckoos, woodpeckers
– Reptiles – snakes, lizards
– Insects – grasshoppers, cicadas, beetles
Central and South America
– Small mammals – squirrels, rats, mice, opossums
– Birds – parrots, toucans, oropendolas
– Reptiles – snakes, iguanas, lizards
– Insects – beetles, cicadas, stick insects
– Arachnids – spiders and scorpions
So red hawks feed on a wide array of small prey across their range including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. They are able to adapt their diet based on the most abundant seasonal prey sources in their local habitat.
Breeding and Nesting
Red hawks nest throughout their breeding range:
– Breed from late March through July depending on latitude
– Build nests high up in trees, on cliffs, or on human structures
– Nest are large, up to 2 ft wide, made of sticks and lined with foliage
– Lay 1 to 3 eggs, incubated for 28-35 days
– Young fledge at 38-42 days old
Nest sites are adapted to local habitat:
– Northern forests – Nest high in pines, oaks, aspens
– Eastern forests – Nest in maples, oaks, hickories
– Southwestern deserts – Nest in saguaros, yuccas, cottonwoods
– Tropical forests – Nest in rainforest trees
– Coastal – Nest in mangroves, palms
Red hawks exhibit high nest site fidelity, often reusing or repairing the same nest for many seasons. Nest success rates average 50-70% across their range.
Relationships with Humans
Red hawks have a complex relationship history with humans:
– Revered by Native Americans, who used feathers ceremonially
– Declined from persecution as poultry predators
– Recovered from conservation protections in 1970s
– Remain common across North America due to adaptability
Today red hawks readily utilize human structures and habitats:
– Nest on telephone poles, cell towers, powerline towers
– Hunt along roads, golf courses, parks, farm fields
– Scavenge roadkill and urban prey like pigeons
So while red hawks were historically persecuted, they now thrive in close proximity to human areas across their range due to their adaptability. Protection, habitat conservation, and ample food sources contribute to maintained populations.
Threats and Conservation
Some key threats facing red hawks today include:
– Habitat loss from development and agriculture
– Collisions with vehicles and wind turbines
– Poisoning from pesticides and lead ammunition
– Climate change disrupting range and migration
Conservation efforts focus on:
– Habitat protection – parks, reserves, and protected breeding sites
– Public education – teaching value of raptors
– Nest monitoring – tracking breeding populations
– Protecting migration routes – conservation corridors
– Restricting toxic chemicals – banning DDT, regulating lead
With proper management, the adaptable red hawk remains resilient across much of its native range. Targeted conservation efforts in tropical areas and on migration routes can aid declining populations.
Conclusion
In summary, red hawks are indigenous raptors found across a broad swath of North and Central America. They inhabited diverse habitats from boreal forests to tropical rainforests prior to European colonization. While habitat loss has reduced populations in parts of their southern range, red hawks remain common across temperate North America. Their varied diet, adaptability to human activity, and protected status contribute to stable populations across most of their native range. With continued conservation, these iconic raptors will likely continue thriving in close proximity to humans. Their resilience reminds us that with proper management, species and humans can successfully coexist even in heavily modified landscapes.
