Red Tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis

Status - Protected

Range - Throughout North America with two sub species in Florida. (Buteo lineatus extimus, Buteo lineatus alleni)

Habitat - Deciduous forests and swamps of North America.

Notes - Red tailed hawks are a common site on Forever Florida's' property. Their compact and maneuverable flight style allows them to penetrate the dense cypress forests and maneuver between the trees. These hawks can sometimes be found perched on top of dead stands and fence posts in open areas, watching the landscape for prey.

This photo is of a red tailed hawk, which is mantling (spreading its wings) over some prey which it has caught.