Red Tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis
Habitat	This hawk is found mainly along the edge of hardwood forests and adjacent open fields. The open country is used for hunting areas. The tall trees of the forests are used for nesting, and perching while on the lookout for food on the ground. They will occasionally hunt for squirrels in the woods.
Ecological Niche	Red-tailed hawks are diurnal, which means they are active in the daytime. They prey upon mice, rats, rabbits and snakes and are often found in the same areas as the horned owl. They will on rare occasions, catch poultry or birds. If other food is scarce, they will attack anything smaller than they are.
Life Cycle	Red-tailed hawks lay 2 to 3 eggs in early spring which hatch after about 4 weeks of incubation. The young begin to fly at 4 to 5 weeks of age. They probably leave their parents and venture out on their own at 10 to 12 weeks of age. Wild individuals can live 15 years and red-tailed hawks in captivity can live 20 years or more.
Behavior and physical adaptations	Red-tailed hawks have long strong toes and talons for grasping and killing their prey. They have exceptionally acute eyesight that is 8 times better than that of humans. Because they are active during the day, they also have color vision. This incredible eyesight allows them to spot small prey at long distances. Their hooked beak enables them to tear their food into pieces. Their broad wings allow them to soar for long periods of time while hunting and saves them energy.