File:Red-tailed hawk in flight from behind - DPLA - 7bb4b9032da893556276ad0e6ff2645b, crop.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Aves; Order: Falconiformes; Family: Accipitridae; Genus: Buteo; Genus species: Buteo jamaicensis. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 46 cm; Identification: The red-tailed hawk has broad wings, a dark patagial mark on the underwings, and a brick red tail. The light morph includes a brown head, nape, back, and upperwings. The belly band is dark, and the underwings are white with dark edgings. The dark morph includes dark underparts, upperparts, and underwings. The undersides are pale of primary and secondary flight feathers; Habitat: Deserts, forests, mountains; Diet: Carnivore: opportunistic; small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds; Reproduction: One brood is produced each season. Nests are built out of twigs in a tree or cactus. The female lays 1-3 eggs which are incubated for 30-35 days. The chicks fledge at 45-46 days of age; Behavior: Red-tailed hawks are very aggressive birds; Status: No special status.