Adult: Once you have looked up to discover the glory of that splendid red tail with the sun shining upon it, you won’t soon forget it. The experts describe the color as “chestnut” but you know and I know it’s red. Not all Red-tailed Hawks have red tails - neither do they all have the dark band on the white belly. Look for a big hawk; it is the largest one in our state.

Immature: Underparts are heavily streaked. The tail is brown, banded with black.

Habitat: The red-tail is the most widely distributed hawk in Florida. You may find it in agricultural environments and forest edges, and in almost all Florida habitats from mangrove to sandhills and cypress swamps. Look for it on power lines as you speed down the highway.

The Red-tailed Hawk is a Florida resident. Its breeding period is February through June.

Text by Mary-Jean Rogers, West Volusia Audubon