Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society  

MARS MOMENT #8 Red Tailed Hawk - by Sandy Fairfield

If we were living in the middle ages and not the twenty first century we may be more aware of Hawks and Falcons. Falconry flourished and you could tell a persons rank by the bird they carried, Royalty carried Gyrfalcons, Earls Perigrine Falcons, Yoemans Goshawks, and a Priest a Sparrow Hawk also known as a Kestrel. We however may be fortunate enough to see a Hawk on a drive through the farmlands of the Comox Valley. Soaring on thermal currents or perched on a tree or fence post Red Tailed Hawks are the easiest to spot.

Hawks are divided into three major sub-species,

Buteos (large hawks who prefer open farmland), Accipiters (medium sized hawks that live close to the forest edge) and Falcons (small hawks which can adapt to a variety of habitats including urban area).

It takes a trained eye to distinguish one hawk from another, but generally size, wing and tail shapes can help with identification. Falcons in particular have distinct streamlined wings designed for high speed flying and maneuverability. Examples of Falcons are Kestrels, and Peregrines’ and Merlins’. Falcons prey on other birds and will strike the prey mid-air often disabling the bird and collecting it once it falls to the ground. Peregrine Falcons are the fastest flying birds reaching speeds over 80 mph. They have special adaptations in their noses called "baffles" which allow them to breathe at these high speeds. The Dark Brown Merlin is the most common Falcon found locally, and can be seen hovering over prey just before striking. They can also be seen at bird feeders especially in winter. Local Accipiters include Coopers’ Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks. These hawks have short rounded wings allowing them rapid flight between trees as they prey on other forest birds.

The Red Tail, a Buteo, has longer broad rounded wings designed for soaring and gliding on thermals. The most distinguishing feature of the Red Tailed Hawk is its bright brick-red tail (this is acquired after the first year), which stands out especially against a bright blue sky. The tail is fan shaped and acts as a rudder to change direction during soaring flight, and also as a brake during landing. Red Tails, like most birds of prey, are predominantly meat eaters dining mainly on small rodents and mammals, but also eat birds plucking the feathers before dining on the flesh. They will patiently wait on a perch until the prey appears, and will then glide and swoop landing from above with outstretched talons. Their talons are also used in defense and in courtship, and if cornered will throw themselves backwards and ward off the intruder.

Red Tailed hawks are not frequent visitors to MARS, they are versatile and adaptable and seem less prone to injuries. Last year we saw a Red Tail that had been caught in a trap, this caused an untreatable injury to its’ lower leg and talon. The hawk treated this month was an impact victim, probably a window, it was unable to fly or find its normal food. All Birds of Prey cast pellets several hours after eating and by dissecting the Red Tails pellet we could determine what it had eaten. The regurgitated pellets contain indigestible materials such as bones, fur or feathers none of these were present in this hawks pellet. These Hawks are easily stressed in captivity (although when handled from an early age are the easiest for Falconers to train) and do not readily accept attention or food. This bird was very bright, alert and responsive and was released within a week to its rescue location, as Red Tails are territorial birds.

For more information on Hawks including school presentations, please call 337-2021 or www.wingtips.org