Soaring high above the open sagebrush and wetlands of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the most familiar and widespread raptors in North America. Its piercing cry—a rolling “kee-eee-er”—is often the soundtrack to the refuge’s wide skies, a fitting anthem for this adaptable bird of prey.
Adult Red-tailed Hawks are easy to identify once you know the name: their rich, russet-colored tails glow like embers when backlit by the sun. Broad wings and a stocky build allow them to ride thermals effortlessly, scanning below for the movement of a vole, ground squirrel, or even an unwary snake. At Malheur, they often perch atop fenceposts or utility poles.
These hawks are year-round residents in much of the West, including Harney County. In winter, northern migrants join local birds, swelling numbers and adding variety in plumage from pale “Krider’s” morphs to nearly black “Harlan’s” forms. Each is a reminder of the species’ remarkable diversity and adaptability.
During spring, watch for their impressive aerial courtship displays: pairs spiraling together, talons briefly clasped, then tumbling toward earth before separating. With luck, you might spot one carrying sticks to a nest high in a cottonwood or on a rocky ledge—signs of another generation taking to Malheur’s skies.
Red-tailed Hawks play an important ecological role as mid-level predators, helping regulate populations of small mammals such as the ground squirrels that are plentiful at Refuge Headquarters in the spring and summer. Their presence indicates a healthy landscape with abundant prey and open hunting grounds.
