Kelsey Roberts
5/15/08
Science pd 7
Ms. Overly
Red Tailed Hawk
5/15/08
Science pd 7
Ms. Overly
Red Tailed Hawk
http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/redtailhawk.htm
Bluteo jamaicensis, also known as the red tailed hawk, is a large bird with a length anywhere from 18-25 long, it weighs about two to four pounds and its wingspan can stretch up to four and one half feet long. The Female hawks are about 25% larger than male. The under belly of a red tailed hawk is significantly lighter than the rest of its dark brown feather. Along with a dark ring of feathers across the belly, a signature red tail is uniform.
A red tailed hawk usually lives in large, open areas such as deserts, swaps and agricultural lands. These hawks are very territorial and are constantly on the look out for intruders. Its main foe is the great horned owl. The two compete for nesting spots and serve as each other’s predators for nestlings and eggs. Hawks migrate south during the winter but return for mating season which is usually anywhere from March to the end of May.
Cliffs and high trees are chosen for nests, which are 28-38 inches in diameter and can be three feet tall, and usually habitats include tall trees, telephone poles and wires so they can encompass a good view of their prey on the ground below Hawks use their excellent eyesight while hunting in the sky. it can pick out even the slightest movement from below. When diving for its prey, a red tailed hawk can exceed a speed of 120 mph! Its prey includes small rodents such as mice, moles, rabbit, reptiles and other birds.
Red Tailed hawks play an important niche in the environment. They regulate mouse and mole populations as well as rabbit; at the same time they create competition for neighborhood owls. By building such large nests, they provide a home for other smaller birds such as house sparrows.
Bluteo jamaicensis, also known as the red tailed hawk, is a large bird with a length anywhere from 18-25 long, it weighs about two to four pounds and its wingspan can stretch up to four and one half feet long. The Female hawks are about 25% larger than male. The under belly of a red tailed hawk is significantly lighter than the rest of its dark brown feather. Along with a dark ring of feathers across the belly, a signature red tail is uniform.
A red tailed hawk usually lives in large, open areas such as deserts, swaps and agricultural lands. These hawks are very territorial and are constantly on the look out for intruders. Its main foe is the great horned owl. The two compete for nesting spots and serve as each other’s predators for nestlings and eggs. Hawks migrate south during the winter but return for mating season which is usually anywhere from March to the end of May.
Cliffs and high trees are chosen for nests, which are 28-38 inches in diameter and can be three feet tall, and usually habitats include tall trees, telephone poles and wires so they can encompass a good view of their prey on the ground below Hawks use their excellent eyesight while hunting in the sky. it can pick out even the slightest movement from below. When diving for its prey, a red tailed hawk can exceed a speed of 120 mph! Its prey includes small rodents such as mice, moles, rabbit, reptiles and other birds.
Red Tailed hawks play an important niche in the environment. They regulate mouse and mole populations as well as rabbit; at the same time they create competition for neighborhood owls. By building such large nests, they provide a home for other smaller birds such as house sparrows.
1 comment:
Be sure the italics are copied over from your word document for the scientific name! Good description of the physical description of the hawk and its habitat, but make your paper even more thorough by describing the adaptations of the hawk allowing it to be so successful in this habitat. Also, re-read before you post, as there are a few typos and grammar errors that distract the reader from your content.
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