The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is the most widespread bird of prey in San Diego County, nesting in every region of the county from the Tijuana River Estuary to the Anza-Borrego Desert. Indeed, the Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most widespread of all birds in our region.

The Red-tailed Hawk favors grasslands with scattered trees that can serve as perches and nest sites. Nevertheless, it has tolerated urbanization in the San Diego area by using eucalyptus trees and electrical poles as additional nest sites, making up for a loss of foraging grounds to urban development.

Learn more about the Red-tailed Hawk by checking out the San Diego County Bird Atlas from your local library or purchase it from the Museum store.

PHOTO CREDIT: Mark Bohn, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region