Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis can acclimate to all biomes in its range, which extends from western Alaska south to Panama and the West Indies. This hawk is one of the largest of the genus Buteo, weighing between 1.5 and 3.5 lb (females are around 25% heavier than the males). The wingspan measures between 40-56 inches. The subspecies found in San Diego County has three color morphs: dark, intermediate, and light, with the light morph constituting 80-90% of the population. They occupy all habitats throughout North America, except the high arctic and areas of unbroken forest.