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| Adult Red-tailed Hawk 17369 |
This magnificent bird was observed at Bosque del Apache, NM
in February 2006. The western variety of the Red-tailed Hawk is very similar to, but slightly larger than, the eastern
variety. Judging from its size, this is probably a female. Females tend to be about 25% larger than males.
The New Mexico sky was so blue!
Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
Click on any picture for
ordering information.
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| Juvenile Western Red-tailed Hawk 17318 |
This juvenile was
observed at Bosque del Apache, NM in the vicinity of the adult, above, and may be her offspring. Immature red-tails
can be readily identified at close range by their yellowish irises. As the bird attains full maturity over the course of 3–4 years, the iris slowly darkens into a reddish-brown
hue. The tail of the immature Red-tailed Hawk is patterned with with numerous darker bars.
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| Juvenile Western Red-tailed Hawk in Flight 15221 |
I approached this juvenile (note the white, barred tail) Red-tailed
Hawk with caution, stopping to snap pictures as I got closer. I had hoped to get closer, but just before this sequence,
it spotted prey in the tall grass. I switched to rapid fire just as it took flight. This is a time-lapse of four
frames, taken over the course of about one second. Charred grass and residual smoke from the previous evening's wildfire
provide the background.
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