Types of Red-Tailed Hawks

The red-tailed hawk thrives in many habitats, encompassing almost all of North America from Southern Canada to Mexico, Central America and parts of the West Indies. These birds, considered raptors, are the largest members of the genus Buteo, and are often referred to as "chicken-hawks." There are 14 subspecies of the red-tailed hawk variety. Out of these 14, four are the most common varieties.

  1. Caribbean Habitat

    • Buteo jamaicensis is the predominant species of red-tailed hawks, as the species was first recorded and studied in Jamaica. The tail can be brick red to a brownish red, with streaked wing markings and lighter underbelly plumage common to red-tailed hawks. These medium sized raptors thrive in the tropical climate of Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the Lesser Antilles. Puerto Rico has the highest population of red-tailed hawks found anywhere in the hawk's large habitat range.

    Different Markings

    • Buteo harlani, otherwise referred to as the Harlan's hawk, is found predominantly in North America, from Alaska to Canada, and in the winter months can be found in Nebraska, Kansas, Texas and Northern Louisiana. These hawks are sometimes considered a separate species because they are marked differently from all other red-tails. The tail can be reddish, gray or whitish and often is streaked or barred.

    Prairie Habitat

    • Buteo kriderii, otherwise referred to as the Krider's hawk, is the palest of the red-tailed hawk varieties. The tail can be white or pinkish. These hawks are found mostly in the Great Plains region and have developed to prefer a prairie habitat. These hawks breed in Southern Canada, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska and Minnesota. The Krider's hawk during winter migration can be found as far south as Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana. The largest winter populations can be found in South Dakota, Nebraska and Southern Minnesota.

    West Coast Hawks

    • Buteo caluris, otherwise known as the western red-tailed hawk, is common to Southern California but has a habitat range from Alaska and British Columbia to Guatemala and Northern Nicaragua. One of the largest western red-tailed hawk populations is found in the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge in Seal, California. Colors range from light to dark plumage and the tail can be pale red or bright red.