March of the Red Tails

This month, the skies come alive with high-flying desire, rivalry, and survival.

Look up! That shadow soaring over the streets might not be a plane or a pigeon—it could be one of Philadelphia’s most skilled hunters, the Red-Tailed Hawk. With their piercing eyes, broad wings, and fiery tail feathers, these raptors rule Philly’s airspace, gracefully gliding between skyscrapers, steeples, and trees.

If you’ve ever noticed a large bird perched on a streetlight or drifting effortlessly on an updraft, chances are you’ve seen one of these incredible predators on the hunt for a meal (or a mate). If you haven’t – no worries. It’s easy to spot them, if you know what to look for.

Meet the Red-Tail: Philly’s Feathered Neighbors

Red-Tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) are one of the most common and widespread hawk species in North America, but that doesn’t make them any less special. These birds are winged assassins, their keen eyes locking in on prey from high above. Once a target is identified, the hawk swoops down – legs back, gaining speed. At the last second, their talons snap open, hitting with devastating force. There’s no struggle. With a crushing grip and a swift, calculated bite, the hunt is over before the prey even knows what’s coming.

Philadelphia’s hawks enjoy a diet of rats, mice, squirrels and pigeons —making them an important ally in urban pest control. But these vermin-hungry raptors are much more than common exterminators. Red-Tails are smart, fiercely loyal birds that form deep bonds and navigate a complex world of passion, danger, alliances, and unexpected twists worthy of a daytime soap opera.

March is prime time for Red-Tail romance. Courting usually begins with gifts, when the male brings his chosen female twigs, one at a time – his humble offering to prove he’s provider material. If she accepts, they’ll seal their bond with daring aerial displays and tandem flights that are a sight to behold!

Once paired, the nest-building begins. The male scouts potential sites—a sturdy treetop, a bridge ledge, a high-rise balcony—somewhere safe, high, and with a good view. But the final decision? That’s up to the female. Once she approves, both birds get to work, hauling sticks and weaving them into a massive, fortress-like nest lined with bark, greenery, and soft materials for the eggs to come.

When the female lays her clutch—usually two to four eggs—she takes on most of the incubating, keeping them warm while the male hunts tirelessly, delivering fresh meals to his mate. After about a month, the eggs hatch, and suddenly, these fierce hunters become devoted, doting parents.

For six chaotic weeks, the parents work nonstop, shredding meat into tiny pieces to feed their growing chicks. The nestlings, at first fluffy and helpless, quickly develop into rowdy, demanding youngsters, flapping their wings and wrestling each other in preparation for the world beyond the nest. By late spring or early summer, they’re ready to fledge—but they don’t leave right away. The young hawks linger, sticking close to their parents as they hone their hunting skills with dramatic practice dives and sibling play-hunts.

By late summer, instinct kicks in. The fledglings grow restless, sensing it’s time to strike out on their own. One by one, they leave their childhood skies behind, venturing off to claim their own territories. Meanwhile, their parents remain, often returning to the same nest the following spring to start the cycle all over again.

But this is just part of the story. City life offers plenty of advantages—abundant food, high nesting spots, and few natural predators—but it’s also full of mortal pitfalls. From fast-moving traffic to glass-covered skyscrapers, rodent poisons, and territorial adversaries, a Red-Tailed Hawk’s life is a constant battle to adapt, outmaneuver, and survive.

Yet, despite these challenges, hawks and humans can coexist — and even thrive together. Small changes in how we manage our urban environment can make a big difference in ensuring these fierce, feathered hunters continue soaring over the city for generations to come. 

HEALTHY HAWK HOW-TO

✔ Skip the rat poison! Rodenticides don’t just kill rats—they harm hawks, owls, and other wildlife that eat poisoned prey. Humane traps or better waste management are safer alternatives.
✔ Keep your distance. It’s thrilling to spot a hawk up close, but getting too close can stress them out—especially during nesting season (March to June).
✔ Safeguard your windows. DIY birdsavers can help alert hawks to reflective surfaces, preventing potentially deadly strikes.
✔ Support local bird rehabbers. Especially now, with avian flu adding an extra layer of concern, for both wildlife and human tenders.

If You Encounter a Sick or Injured Hawk:

⚠️ Don’t touch it! Avian flu is a real threat, so back away from the bird! 😷 Instead of handling the animal, assess it visually for signs of injury or fatigue. Prepare a secure container such a box or pet crate lined with a towel. Don protective gloves and use another towel to carefully cover the bird. Swaddle gently and slip into waiting carrier; move to a dark, warm, and quiet space then get to a qualified wildlife rehabber asap.

• Metro Wildlife Center phillywildlife.org | 267-416-9453
• Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic  Schuylkillcewnter.org | 215-853-6271
• PA Game Commission pa.gov/pgc | 1-833-PGC-WILD

Report sick or dead wild birds to the Game Commission immediately. Wash your hands and disinfect all surfaces after contact. Keep your pets away! Avian flu can spread to domestic animals – in fact, dozens of domestic cats have died in Pennsylvania alone from hunting diseased birds and consuming raw milk. Now’s a great time to curb Kitty’s roaming and maybe invest in a catio for a safe alternative.

Fun Facts About Red-Tailed Hawks

• Red-Tails are large, powerful raptors with wingspans up to 4 ½ feet and distinctive, rusty-red tail feathers.
• A male Red-Tailed Hawk is called a tiercel, while a female is simply known as a hen and juveniles are eyasses. A group of hawks is called a kettle (when flying together), a boil (when hunting), or a cast (when trained for falconry).
• While not as fast as a peregrine falcon, a Red-Tailed Hawk can still reach speeds of over 100 mph when diving for prey.
• A Red-Tail’s eyesight is 8 times sharper than a human’s—they can spot a tiny mouse from the roof of a 10 story building.
• If you hear a high-pitched, raspy “kree-eee-ar” scream in a movie when an eagle appears—surprise! That’s actually a Red-Tail’s call, often used in Hollywood sound effects.
• In the wild, Red-Tailed Hawks typically live 10 to 15 years, but in captivity, they can reach over 25 years.
• Fossil evidence suggests that Red-Tailed Hawks have existed for over 2 million years, making them one of North America’s long-standing aerial predators.
• In many Native American traditions, seeing a hawk is considered a sign to stay alert for important messages from the spirit guides and ancestors.
• The character Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce in MASH gets his nickname from a character known for his sharpshooting skills in The Last of the Mohicans.
• In the Marvel Universe, Clint Barton takes the codename Hawkeye, reflecting his unmatched accuracy with a bow and arrow. Like a hawk, he’s a focused, strategic hunter.
• Joseph’s University adopted the Hawk as its mascot in the 1930s after a campus contest. The student who holds the position gets a full scholarship, and is considered a member of the basketball team.

👀 HAWK HOT SPOTS 👀

📍 Eakins Oval & Art Museum Area – Home to a well-documented hawk pair followed by the Franklin Hawkaholics.
📍 Wissahickon Valley Park – A hub for hawk activity with plenty of nesting sites.
📍 Fairmount Park & Benjamin Franklin Parkway – Good chances of spotting city-dwelling Red-Tails perched or soaring.
📍 Hawk Mountain Sanctuary – About two hours from Philly in Berks County, this world-famous raptor refuge offers stunning views and a chance to see resident Red-Tails (and other raptors) begin their families for the season.

Thoughts? Comments? Please leave them below. If you enjoyed this Local wildlife feature, please check out last month’s on Philly’s fascinating urban skunk population.