One of the perks to living in SoCal is finding a pair of hawks that mate for life perched on a nearby tree. Not just any old tree mind you, but sitting on my neighbor's Eucalyptus tree. The weather has been so nice for February. I was putting up the wash on our clothesline when I looked up and saw these magnificent birds with their short tails and broad wings. I ran into the house to grab my camera. Got one picture and then they flew away. Let me introduce you to our local Red-tail Hawks!
Wikipedia Says...
The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey, one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on standard sized chickens. It breeds throughout most of North America, from western Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies, and is one of the most common buteos in North America. Red-tailed Hawks can acclimate to all the biomes within their range. There are fourteen recognized subspecies, which vary in appearance and range. It is one of the largest members of the genus Buteo in North America, typically weighing from 690 to 1,600 g (1.52 to 3.53 lb) and measuring 45–65 cm (18–26 in) in length, with a wingspan from 110–145 cm (43–57 in). The Red-tailed Hawk displays sexual dimorphism in size, with females averaging about 25% heavier than males.
Red-tailed Hawk
Photos for Wild Bird Wednesday
Do you have these magnificent birds in your area?
“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
