Red-tailed Hawk vs Snail Kite
Buteo jamaicensis compared with Rostrhamus sociabilis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Red-tailed Hawk | Snail Kite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Buteo jamaicensis | Rostrhamus sociabilis |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 53.0 cm (20.9 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 124.0 cm (48.8 in) | 69.0 cm (27.2 in) |
| Weight | 1080.0 g (38.10 oz) | 375.75 g (13.25 oz) |
| Diet | Small to medium mammals, especially voles, mice, and rabbits. Also takes birds, reptiles, and large … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Red-tailed Hawk only
Snail Kite only
None
Red-tailed Hawk
Open country with scattered elevated perches such as trees, poles, and cliffs. Adaptable to farmland, grasslands, roadsides, and suburban areas.
Song & Call Comparison
Red-tailed Hawk
Iconic, raspy descending scream: 'kreeeeee-ar', often used in films for all raptors. Gives short barking 'kak' notes near nest. Juveniles beg with persistent squealing whistles.
Snail Kite
Geographic Range & Migration
Red-tailed Hawk
North America from Alaska to Panama, including the Caribbean. One of the most common raptors in North America.
Snail Kite
Conservation Status
Red-tailed Hawk
Snail Kite
How to Tell Them Apart
Red-tailed Hawk
Variable plumage from pale to dark morphs. Most adults have rich brown upperparts, a pale breast with a dark belly band, and the characteristic rufous-red tail.
Dark hooked bill with a yellow cere
Snail Kite
About These Birds
Red-tailed Hawk
The red-tailed hawk is the most widespread and common hawk in North America. Its screaming cry is so iconic that it is often dubbed over bald eagle footage in films and television. These adaptable raptors thrive in human-altered landscapes and are a familiar sight perched along highways.