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Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Bird · family Accipitridae · order Accipitriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
50 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
30 years[4]

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird in the family Accipitridae[5]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act, and NatureServe ranks it Secure worldwide[1][2].

Conservation status

The US Fish and Wildlife Service data show that the Red-tailed Hawk is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe gives it a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. In the United States it is ranked Secure for both breeding and nonbreeding birds[6]. The IUCN Red List category is Least concern[7]. The hawk is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
CITES (international trade)[9] Appendix II
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Where Red-tailed Hawk lives

NatureServe lists the Red-tailed Hawk as native in 50 US states and territories, including the District of Columbia[3]. The list includes Alaska, California, Texas, New York and many other states[3]. The table on this page shows the state ranks. Some states rank the hawk only as a breeding bird, some only for winter, and some for both[11]. A state list shows where the species is recorded, not a promise that you will see it there[3].

Alaska: native, state rank S4BAKMaine: native, state rank S3N,S5BMEWisconsin: native, state rank S5BWIVermont: native, state rank S3B,S5NVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5NHWashington: native, state rank S5B,S5NWAIdaho: native, state rank S4IDMontana: native, state rank S5BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5B,S5NMAOregon: native, state rank S5ORNevada: native, state rank S5NVWyoming: native, state rank S5BWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5BSDIowa: native, state rank S5B,S5NIAIndiana: native, state rank S4INOhio: native, state rank S5OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5BPANew Jersey: native, state rank S5B,S5NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S5CTRhode Island: native, state rank S5B,S5NRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S4UTColorado: native, state rank S5B,S5NCONebraska: native, state rank S4NEMissouri: native, state rank S5MOKentucky: native, state rank S4B,S4NKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S5B,S5NWVVirginia: native, state rank S4VAMaryland: native, state rank S5B,S5NMDDelaware: native, state rank S5DEArizona: native, state rank S5AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S5B,S5NNMKansas: native, state rank S5KSArkansas: native, state rank S5ARTennessee: native, state rank S5TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5B,S5NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S5SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S3NDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S4B,S5NLAMississippi: native, state rank S5BMSAlabama: native, state rank S5ALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5BTXFlorida: native, state rank S4FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (50 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5Secure
AlaskaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
ArizonaS5Secure
ArkansasS5Secure
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
ConnecticutS5Secure
DelawareS5Secure
District of ColumbiaS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
FloridaS4Apparently Secure
GeorgiaS5Secure
IdahoS4Apparently Secure
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS4Apparently Secure
IowaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
KansasS5Secure
KentuckyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
LouisianaS4B,S5NApparently Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MaineS3N,S5BVulnerable (nonbreeding), Secure (breeding)
MarylandS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MassachusettsS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
MississippiS5BSecure (breeding)
MissouriS5Secure
MontanaS5BSecure (breeding)
NebraskaS4Apparently Secure
NevadaS5Secure
New HampshireS5Secure
New JerseyS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS5Secure
North CarolinaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
OhioS5Secure
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
OregonS5Secure
PennsylvaniaS5BSecure (breeding)
Rhode IslandS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
South CarolinaS5Secure
South DakotaS5BSecure (breeding)
TennesseeS5Secure
TexasS5BSecure (breeding)
UtahS4Apparently Secure
VermontS3B,S5NVulnerable (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
VirginiaS4Apparently Secure
WashingtonS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
West VirginiaS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS5BSecure (breeding)
WyomingS5BSecure (breeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitat types for this hawk, such as hardwood, conifer and mixed forest, woodland, shrubland, savanna, grassland, old fields, desert, cliffs, cropland and riparian areas[12]. It mostly lives where woods are open or where open ground has a few scattered trees, and only rarely in denser forest[13]. High perches are an important part of its habitat[13]. It often nests high in a tall tree near the edge of woods, or on a cliff or in a shrub or cactus where there are no trees[13]. Pairs often come back to the same nesting area in later years[13].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[12]

Size, diet and lifespan

NatureServe describes the Red-tailed Hawk as a carnivore that takes whatever prey is available[14][15]. Rodents, rabbits and hares, birds and reptiles are common in its diet[15]. One estimate puts the diet at 60% warm-blooded vertebrates, 30% reptiles and amphibians, and 10% invertebrates[16]. The usual length is 56 cm (22 in)[17]. The usual adult weight is 3 lb[18]. A clutch is commonly 2 to 3 eggs, and young may leave the nest at about 4 weeks[19]. Successful breeding usually does not start before age 2 years[19]. The oldest known wild bird, from banding records, was at least 30 years 8 months old[4]. This is a record, not a typical lifespan[20].

Trait Value
Typical length[17] 56 cm (22 in)
Typical adult weight[18] 1.2 kg (3 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[20] 30.7 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 30 years 8 months
Litter or clutch size[21] 3
Gestation or incubation[22] 31 days
Female maturity[23] 730 days (about 2.0 years)
Food habits[14] Carnivore
Migration[24] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[16]

  • 60% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 30% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% invertebrates

When to look for it

The Red-tailed Hawk is active by day[25]. NatureServe lists it as a non-migrant, local migrant or long-distance migrant, depending on the population[24]. Northern birds mostly migrate, though some stay near their territories all year[26]. They usually reach northern breeding areas in March and April and leave by September or October[26]. Most migrants from the north go no farther south than northern Mexico[26]. Observation records on GBIF are highest in January, April and May[27]. These records show when people look and report, not how many hawks there are[27].

January: 1,100,194 recordsJanFebruary: 999,969 recordsFebMarch: 1,046,621 recordsMarApril: 1,103,102 recordsAprMay: 1,071,402 recordsMayJune: 564,425 recordsJunJuly: 486,327 recordsJulAugust: 534,142 recordsAugSeptember: 655,395 recordsSepOctober: 819,398 recordsOctNovember: 865,907 recordsNovDecember: 930,539 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[27].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January1,100,194
February999,969
March1,046,621
April1,103,102
May1,071,402
June564,425
July486,327
August534,142
September655,395
October819,398
November865,907
December930,539

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Red-tailed Hawk as present in 254 park units[28]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 230 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado[29]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Red-tailed Hawk endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, Secure, worldwide[2].
Where does the Red-tailed Hawk live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 50 US states and territories[3]. It favors open country with scattered trees and open woodland[13].
What does the Red-tailed Hawk eat?
It is an opportunistic carnivore[14][15]. Rodents, rabbits and hares, birds and reptiles are common prey[15].
How big is a Red-tailed Hawk?
The usual length is 56 cm (22 in)[17]. The usual adult weight is 3 lb[18].
How long does a Red-tailed Hawk live?
The oldest known wild bird from banding records was at least 30 years 8 months old[4]. This is a record, not a typical lifespan[20].

Facts and sources

  1. Red-tailed Hawk is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Red-tailed Hawk: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Red-tailed Hawk as native in 50 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Red-tailed Hawk from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 30 years 8 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird in the family Accipitridae, order Accipitriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Red-tailed Hawk is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix II (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Red-tailed Hawk (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. Habitat types NatureServe records for Red-tailed Hawk: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Old field, Desert, Cliff,... NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on habitat for Red-tailed Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on food for Red-tailed Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 60% warm-blooded vertebrates, 30% reptiles and amphibians, 10% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  17. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 56 cm (22 in). NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 1.2 kg (3 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  19. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Red-tailed Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  20. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 30.7 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  21. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 3. AnAge
  22. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 31 days. AnAge
  23. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 730 days (about 2.0 years). AnAge
  24. NatureServe migration category for Red-tailed Hawk: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  25. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on migration for Red-tailed Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  27. GBIF observation records of Red-tailed Hawk in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  28. NPSpecies park lists recording Red-tailed Hawk as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  29. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Red-tailed Hawk: California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.