🌿Native Nature

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia ›Phylum: Chordata ›Class: Aves ›Order: Accipitriformes ›Family: Accipitridae ›Genus: Buteo

About

The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey that breeds throughout most of North America, from the interior of Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies. It is one of the most common members within the genus of Buteo in North America or worldwide. The red-tailed hawk is one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk", though it rarely preys on standard-sized...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Red-tailed Hawk?
The scientific name of Red-tailed Hawk is Buteo jamaicensis.
What is the conservation status of Red-tailed Hawk?
The Red-tailed Hawk has a conservation status of Least Concern.
What kingdom does Red-tailed Hawk belong to?
Red-tailed Hawk belongs to the kingdom Animalia.
What phylum does Red-tailed Hawk belong to?
Red-tailed Hawk belongs to the phylum Chordata.
What class does Red-tailed Hawk belong to?
Red-tailed Hawk belongs to the class Aves.
What order does Red-tailed Hawk belong to?
Red-tailed Hawk belongs to the order Accipitriformes.
What family does Red-tailed Hawk belong to?
Red-tailed Hawk belongs to the family Accipitridae.
What genus does Red-tailed Hawk belong to?
Red-tailed Hawk belongs to the genus Buteo.

In the News

Snakes, bobcats, mountain lions: the secret animal world beneath the Hollywood sign

An international symbol for the city, the sign is also hallmark of the region’s environmental richness Atop Mount Lee, in the heart of Los Angeles, the wind is quiet. Two red-tailed hawks sail above, barely flapping as they coast the thermal air like surfers on a wave. Standing beside the giant letters of the Hollywood sign, the city seems peaceful. On a clear day, blocks and blocks of homes unfold beneath and the skies reveal sights all the way to Catalina Island – 10 miles out, across the Pacific. That’s the beauty seen from the Hollywood sign. Continue reading...

The Guardian Environment · 10/5/2026

New York City’s Black-crowned Night Herons Are Vanishing—and Could Totally Disappear in a Decade, a New Study Reveals

By late May, New York City is full of baby birds. Speckled young robins have fledged their messy nests and hop along after their parents, still hoping for an offered worm. Young Red-tailed Hawks...

Audubon · 6/3/2026