The Red Tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is most easily identified by its dark brown back, pale underparts, and rusty-red tail visible from above or below. North America's most common hawks, they are found all over the continent, in Central America, and in the West Indies. Females are up to 25% larger than males and are more aggressive. Red-Tailed Hawks are skilled hunters who put their keen eye-sight to good use. They prefer to perch high above the ground to seek out their prey and can often be seen on telephone poles and wires and in the tree tops. The loud shrieking call of the Red-Tailed Hawk, that is often used on television to represent other types of birds, is usually done while in flight and is a sign of hunger.
