<< Previous Next >>

Red-tailed Hawk


Red-tailed Hawk
Photo Information
Copyright: Ralf Lukovic (ralfsworld) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 482 W: 90 N: 1823] (6266)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-07-18
Categories: Birds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-12-03 5:08
Viewed: 1126
Points: 31
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Captured in Canada summer 2004 with my old 300D @ 400mm handheld. This guy was hunting a rabbit. After few seconds was no rabit any more :(

Range:
The Red-tailed Hawk ranges throughout North America to the northern limit of the tree line in Alaska and Canada, and south as far as the mountains of Panama. It is also present in much of the West Indies.
Throughout most of its range it is a most adaptable bird, being equally at home in deserts and forests, and at varying heights above sea level. In the southern parts of its range, however, it is a bird of the mountains, in pine and oak forest.

Diet:
The Red-tailed Hawk is a most opportunistic feeder. Its diet is varied, with rabbits and small and medium sized rodents being preferred. Where there are large numbers of pheasant, these become the food of choice in spring and summer. Other prey taken includes snakes and lizards.
In captivity in winter an average redtail will eat about 135g (4-5oz) daily.

Status and behaviour in the wild:
The Red-tailed Hawk is, for a member of the buzzard family, a powerful and husky species, with the widest ecological tolerance of any North American Hawk, being absent only from tundra and deep forest.
It is an aggressive bird and vigorously defends its territory, especially during the winter months when hunting is difficult and up to seven of the nine hours of daylight are spent hunting.
The pair bond is strong, even outside the breeding season, and the large female will defend her smaller mate against aggressors.
1-3 eggs are laid, and incubated for 28-32 days. The shells are hard, and hatching takes 24-48 hours from pipping. The young fledge at about 45 days.
The Red-tailed Hawk is a grouping of 14 sub-species, each of which is more or less specific to a geographical area, and differs from the others in size, markings etc..
Colouring varies (even within sub-species) from this very dark appearance to a very pale form, so field identification is more satisfactory from the birds' behaviour than from appearance alone. Within its range, its frequent soaring and loud voice are a good pointer.
Argus, Rolf, pvb, vanderschelden, pankajbajpai, ellis49, zenitlady has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2006-12-03 5:15]

Hej Ralf,
Nice action shot, sharp and well presented with fine colouring of this Red-tailed Hawk.

Ha det bra!
Hälsningar, Ivan

  • Great 
  • Rolf Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 59 W: 0 N: 27] (196)
  • [2006-12-03 5:25]

Nice action shot!
TFS
Rolf

  • Great 
  • pvb Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 376 W: 16 N: 495] (1861)
  • [2006-12-03 5:53]

Hi Ralf,
Nice action shot, very sharp and great timing.
You can see that the bird is focused on the rabbit (poor rabbit).
tfs paula

Hi Ralf,
Good work.
Special in flight. Full of energy.
TFS
Annick

Hello Ralf,
Poor little rabbit, that nature's way though :-) This is a special capture with very interesting angle. You were lucky to witness such a moment, I never had this opportunity. I like this great POV, composition and details. We really feel the movement here. Well done with interesting notes. Do you think they also capture cats? I'm serious; one of mine disappeared on December 2nd, 2005 and I never find its body or had any news about him... I know that they are many birds of prey in my region and my cat was a juvenile at this time and I was wondering since then if it could be possible… :( Thanks,
Claudine

hi, ralf,
excellent shot captured with great action,
well composed, fine pov,
well saturated colours,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12252)
  • [2006-12-03 7:10]

Fantastique prise nature Ralf,bravo pour les détails du plumage et le bel éclairage.

Merci!
joseph

Ralf,

nice action here,
great detail in the hawk,
love it,

fototab

Hello Ralf, excellent colors, bg, POF DOF excellent action inflight shot, Nice work

TFs Kyle

Wow - Ralf - that's real action - and in perfect quality, wow, I love it, excellent work, bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • magal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 224 W: 0 N: 313] (1241)
  • [2006-12-03 11:47]

Hiu Ralf,
Nice shooting ;-) Perfect timing, with very nice POV and excellent detail.
TFS
Mark

Hej Ralf,
You cath this in a great action with very good details and sharpness. Nice POV and well composed.
Snyggt jobbat,
Gert

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2006-12-03 14:09]

Poor rabbit but this is a great picture of nature in action. Great timing. Nice sharp details and a great POV

TFS

Karan

Hello Ralf! Wonderful action photo of the red tail! Tail feathers spread, claws at the ready, total concentration, and oh, that look in his eye--great POV! You really were at the right place at the right time! Well done! Linda

  • Great 
  • badar Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 108 W: 0 N: 159] (785)
  • [2006-12-04 3:51]

Hi Ralf,
Well caught , the eye showing above the wing & claws ready to pounce gives it a good sense of the drama unfolding.

Badruddin Ali

Excelente enfoque

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF