Raptor

Red-tailed hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

The most common large hawk in Whatcom and Skagit counties, present all year and joined in winter by migrants that hunt the open farmland of the Skagit and Samish flats.

Seasonality

Peaks across 4 months. Present all year; most numerous from October to March when wintering birds hunt the farmland flats.

Behavior

Perches on utility poles, fence posts and lone trees along field edges, scanning for voles.
Soars on thermals on clear days, often giving its raspy, descending scream.
Plumage varies from pale to almost black, including the dark Harlan's form that winters on the flats.

Photography tips

Use your car as a blind on quiet farm roads; hawks often tolerate a vehicle far better than a person on foot.
Watch for a forward lean and a tail flick, which usually come just before the bird drops off its perch.
Reposition so sky or a distant tree line sits behind a pole-perched bird instead of wires and buildings.

Field ethics

Pull fully off the road and never block farm traffic or field gates.
If a bird flushes as you stop, move on rather than following it down the road.

Red-tailed hawk

Seasonality

Behavior

Photography tips

Field ethics

Where to look

Red-tailed hawk

Seasonality

Behavior

Photography tips

Field ethics

Where to look