The Red-Tailed Hawk

Whatever purpose a “national bird” should serve, it should be a species that is widely known in the country it represents and whose habits are not inimical to human interests. If it is also a boldly handsome species and one that is not found in other parts of the world, so much the better.

The red-tailed hawk fits these criteria rather well. It has been found in every province and territory in Canada, although, as it does not normally live above the tree line, it is generally absent from Nunavut. Otherwise, it occurs in a wide variety of habitats, from open prairies to rugged coastlines, from boreal forests to city parks. While migratory, it is a bird that occurs year-round in southern Canada and that breeds from the Yukon to Nova Scotia. It often occurs in or near cities and does not seem particularly afraid of people. Indeed, it is probably the most commonly seen of the larger birds of prey across Canada.

The Americans have their bald eagle, a scavenger that sometimes takes live prey, but the red-tailed hawk is a true hunter, specializing in voles, ground squirrels, and other rodents and cottontails, helping to keep in check the numbers of these animals, much to the delight of the enlightened farmer.

The red-tailed hawk’s voice epitomizes wilderness, and its keening cry is often dubbed into movies to falsely represent the call of eagles. The bird is highly variable in colour and pattern, ranging from very dark in the northwest to quite pale in the prairies. Young birds have brown tails with darker barring, but the tail of the adult varies, typically being a rusty brick-red on top, though in some it’s a mottled pink, white, and brown.

Red-tailed hawks are found in wilderness areas, yes, but they seem to almost have an affinity for people. In major cities, they are commonly seen sitting on light standards or fence posts bordering major highways, in large parks and ravines, and around airports. They often will allow us to approach them closely and admire their bold countenance and handsome colouring, although they are frequently mistaken for falcons or eagles by laypeople.

Their favourite hunting method is to soar on invisible updrafts over fields where ground squirrels, voles, and mice can be found.

Both parents are devoted to their eggs, with the female doing most of the incubation while the male brings her food. And both parents feed and otherwise tend to the young, usually two or three in number. The nest is very bulky, made of sticks, sometimes fashioned overtop of an old crow’s or squirrel’s nest. The same nest may be used year after year.

This species, at comfort in so many urban, agricultural, and wilderness settings, is a familiar sight to so many Canadians. It is the perfect choice as Canada’s national bird.