Red-tailed hawks are widespread raptors found throughout most of North America. As partial migrants, many red-tailed hawks migrate south for the winter while others remain resident throughout the year. Their wintering ranges and habitats depend on the subspecies and populations involved.
Wintering Ranges
There are four subspecies of red-tailed hawks that occur in North America: Eastern red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis borealis), Western red-tailed hawks (B. j. calurus), Harlan’s hawks (B. j. harlani) and Krider’s hawks (B. j. kriderii). Here is a breakdown of their wintering ranges:
- Eastern red-tailed hawks: Most winter in the southern United States from Texas east to Florida and north to Kentucky.
- Western red-tailed hawks: Winter throughout the southern United States west of the Rockies and south into Mexico.
- Harlan’s hawks: Winter from southern British Columbia and Alberta south throughout the western United States into Mexico.
- Krider’s hawks: Winter from the northern and central Plains states south into Texas and Mexico.
There is considerable overlap between these winter ranges, especially in the south-central United States into Mexico. However, Eastern and Western red-tailed hawks generally winter in separate regions east and west of the Rocky Mountains respectively.
Winter Habitats
Red-tailed hawks occupy a variety of habitats in the winter, including:
- Open grasslands
- Pastures
- Agricultural fields
- Deserts
- Scrublands
- Woodland edges
- Suburban areas
They often perch on telephone poles, fence posts, trees or other elevated perches that provide views over open terrain while hunting. Access to prey is the most important factor determining their winter habitat use.
Eastern Red-Tailed Hawks
Eastern red-tailed hawks mostly winter in rural areas from open forests and woodland edges to pastures, fields, and wetlands. They occur at lower densities in urban areas, suburbs, and cities in the southern U.S. where there are parks and other green spaces to hunt.
Western Red-Tailed Hawks
Western red-tailed hawks winter in a variety of open and semi-open habitats including grasslands, deserts, sagebrush, agricultural areas, and open woodlands. They can thrive in urban areas where there are utility poles and trees for perching.
Harlan’s Hawks
Harlan’s hawks prefer open habitats like grasslands, plains, pastures and agricultural fields in the winter. They are less common in dense woods and forested areas. In the Southwest, they occur in desert and semi-desert regions.
Krider’s Hawks
Krider’s hawks mostly winter in open grassland habitats, pastures, prairies, and croplands. They are rare in dense forests, but may use scattered trees or woodland edges for perching to spot prey.
Food and Hunting
Red-tailed hawks are opportunistic hunters and consume a varied diet in winter. Common prey includes:
- Small mammals: voles, mice, rabbits, squirrels, rats
- Birds: doves, quail, starlings, blackbirds
- Reptiles: snakes, lizards
- Insects
- Carrion (dead animals)
They hunt primarily by perching on an elevated vantage point and swooping down on prey spotted on the ground. In open habitats like grasslands, agricultural areas, and wetlands, red-tails may also hover and hunt on the wing. Pursuit from perches is more common in areas with scattered trees and scrub.
Migration and Overwintering
The exact timing of migration and overwintering behaviors depends on the region and subspecies:
Eastern Red-Tailed Hawks
Most eastern red-tailed hawks are short- to moderate-distance migrants. Breeding birds from the northern parts of the range migrate farther distances in October-November to overwinter in the southern U.S. and Mexico. More southerly breeders may only migrate short distances or remain resident year-round. They begin returning north in March-April.
Western Red-Tailed Hawks
Western red-tailed hawks show more variable migration patterns. Breeding birds from Alaska and Canada migrate medium to long distances in the fall, while those from the northwestern U.S. are typically short-distance migrants. A greater proportion of the southern breeding population remains resident year-round. They return north in February-March.
Harlan’s Hawks
Most Harlan’s hawks are long-distance migrants, moving south from September-November from breeding areas in Alaska and Canada into the U.S. Some winter as far south as Panama. Northward migration begins in mid-March. Smaller numbers remain year-round in breeding areas.
Krider’s Hawks
Krider’s hawks breeding in prairie regions of the northern U.S. and Canada migrates south beginning in October. Most overwinter in the southern U.S. plains region. Northbound migration happens March-April. A smaller resident population remains year-round in the breeding range.
Threats and Mortality
Major threats to migrating and wintering red-tailed hawks include:
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Vehicle collisions
- Power line electrocutions
- Human persecution
- Poisoning from pesticides or lead
Mortality rates tend to be higher during migration and in wintering areas compared to breeding grounds. Providing safe roosting sites and sufficient prey habitat on wintering grounds is important for conservation.
Conclusion
In summary, red-tailed hawks occupy a diversity of habitats in winter across the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central America. While their winter ecology is dependent on subspecies and region, most red-tails favor open country including grasslands, agricultural land, pastures, deserts and wetlands where prey is accessible. Their broad wintering distribution and adaptability to human-altered environments make red-tailed hawks one of the most common and widespread raptors in North America.
