Red-tailed Hawk | Fledgemade

The most common and widespread hawk in North America, large, broad-winged, with a rust-red tail in adults. Builds enormous stick nests on platforms or in tall trees, often visible from highways.

IUCN Red List

Least Concern

Widespread and abundant; no known immediate threats to the population.

Cool Facts

Things you didn't know about the Red-tailed Hawk

The most widespread and adaptable hawk in North America, found in nearly every open habitat from desert to suburb.

Their loud descending scream, actually used in films for nearly every species of raptor, is one of the most recognizable bird calls in the country.

Adults build massive stick nests, often 3+ feet across, on cliffs, tall trees, billboards, or human-made platforms.

Same pair may reuse the same nest platform for over 20 years, adding to it each spring.

Range & Habitat

Where you'll find them

Resident or short-distance migrant from Alaska and Canada south through Central America.

By region

North America

Common year-round across the contiguous US, southern Canada, and Mexico.
Central America

Resident south through Panama.

open country with scattered trees agricultural lands urban edges

10-year local observation heatmap. Click a season above to isolate one band.

Exotic

Outside our line

Beyond our build

We don't build for the Red-tailed Hawk

Outside our line due to 3D-printing or height-placement limitations. We don't currently build for this species. The published nest dimensions are listed here for reference if you're sourcing or building one yourself.

Interior: 24" × 24" × 6" tall
Entrance: Open
Mount: 20–60 ft
Notes: Platform nester, uses raised wooden platforms on poles.

Seasonal Care

When to install. When to clean.

Install by

By February

Cleaning

Once a year, late autumn

Winter use

Yes, overnight roosts

Across the continent

Resident or short-distance migrant; install by February.

Sticks platform nests are 3+ ft across; same pair may reuse the platform for many years.