Open country with scattered elevated perches such as trees, poles, and cliffs. Adaptable to farmland, grasslands, roadsides, and suburban areas.
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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Pygargue à tête grise
Buse à queue rousse
Chant
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.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Geographic Range & Migration
Pygargue à tête grise
Buse à queue rousse
North America from Alaska to Panama, including the Caribbean. One of the most common raptors in North America.
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Statut de conservation
Near Threatened
Pygargue à tête grise
Least Concern
Buse à queue rousse
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Pygargue à tête grise
Buse à queue rousse
Plumage
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.
Bec
Dark hooked bill with a yellow cere
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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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.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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