Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) - local seasonal appearance

Based on 37 observations in Seymour township, Northumberland county, southeast Ontario, 1999-2003.

The rufous up-side tail feathers of the red-tailed hawk are not always visible, but it is often the shrill cry that draws attention to this imposing raptor. Around Campbellford it is most commonly seen in fall and early winter, but it appears to be a year-round inhabitant of the township. This pattern was seen in 1999-2002 (18 sightings) and again in 2003, which was more intensively observed (19 sightings).

At Presqu'ile provincial park, roughly 40 km to the south, the red-tailed hawk is said to be an uncommon spring migrant (early March to early May), common fall migrant (mid-August to late November) and rare summer and winter resident, breeding in the park (LaForest, 1993, p.108). In Peterborough county, to the northwest, the hawk is said to be the common large hawk of the area, a summer resident which has been known to overwinter (Sadler, 1983, p.62).


red-tailed hawk [110 kb]

References

LaFOREST,SM (1993) Birds of Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Friends of Presqu'ile Park / Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 436pp.

SADLER,D (1983) Our Heritage of Birds: Peterborough County in the Kawarthas. Peterborough Field Naturalists / Orchid Press, Peterborough, ON, 192pp.


Graham Wilson, posted 06 August 2003, updated 31 December 2003

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