British Columbia Wildlife
Red Tailed Hawk

Red Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

The hawk will mate for life use the same nest over and over again high up in one its favourite trees in its favourite location. A busy body bird, constant rebuilding and adding additions to the home over years. The nest can become as large as four feet wide and three feet deep. But no kitchen sink.

Each spring the female lays her eggs and during the incubation period the loving wife is catered hand and foot by a dedicated male. A partnership so not to leave the eggs unattended vulnerable to predators who are looking for an omelet.

The hawk feasts on mice, reptiles, insects and small birds. The British Columbia Red Tailed Hawk is blessed with superb eyesight for patrolling the skies. From high above , the hawk swoops down on its prey and scoops them up with its powerful razor like talons. Often the hunter and the hunted , will roll end over end for several feet on the ground until the hunted shows no life.

A benefit of keeping the same mate and location is the familiarity of the wilderness area. The hawk is habit-forming and therefore a predictable bird seemingly always returning to its favourite perches for scouting prey and analyzing the surrounding territory.