I have been seeing a red-tailed hawk quite frequently this summer. They are certainly one of the most commonly observed hawks across the state. Their broad wings and rounded tail easily identifies them as a type of hawk called a buteo. Then of course the red tail (actually more of a rusty color) and light-colored underbelly with a dark band, seals the identification as a red-tailed hawk.
The Swainson’s hawks, also a buteo, is also common across the state during the summer months and may confuse the casual observer. But Swainson’s hawks have a dark “bib” across the upper breast and lack the distinctive red tail.
Red-tailed hawks occupy a wide range of habitats from urban parks and farmland to grasslands and forests. They are found throughout North Dakota, particularly in areas with a mixture of farmland, pasture, and scattered groves, and woodlands. In addition to soaring high in the sky, they are often observed perching on fence posts, telephone poles, and hay bales.
Red-tailed hawks are monogamous and may mate for life. They are also known to aggressively defend their territory from other hawks. That territoriality is largely to protect their food supply which consists of small mammals, birds, and reptiles for themselves as well as their young.
Although red-tailed hawks rarely kill chickens, no doubt many among us grew up calling them (and probably any other hawk), “chicken hawks.” No doubt many red-tailed hawks gave their lives because of that misnomer. But of course, they are a protected species now.
Some of you may recall that the old Looney Tunes cartoons occasionally featured Henery Hawk, a young, know-it-all chicken hawk that didn’t know what a chicken was! He did, however, know that he was supposed to eat chickens. In one cartoon old Foghorn Leghorn convinced Henery that The Barnyard Dawg was a chicken. In typical Looney Tunes fashion, hilarity ensued! But to paraphrase something old Foghorn Leghorn might say these days: “Ah say, ah say, Henery ain’t no chicken hawk. E’s a good bird.”
~Chuck Lura
