How Big Are Red-tailed Hawks? (Wingspan + Size)

red tailed hawk from buzzard The genus is one of the most common raptors in North and Central America. There are about 16 subspecies, and they are known for their adaptability and flexible hunting abilities.

Here, we’re going to answer the question: How big is a red-tailed hawk?

The red-tailed hawk is one of the larger members buzzard genus, 45 to 65 cm (18 to 26 in) long and with a wingspan of 110 to 141 cm (3 ft 7 in to 4 ft 8 in). They weigh approximately 690 to 1600 grams (1.5 to 3.5 lbs). Females are about 25% larger than males.

These adaptable birds of prey are common across much of the United States, Canada, and Central America, including the Antilles.

Red-tailed hawks at the northernmost end of the range are generally larger, consistent with Bergmann’s law, which states that organisms farther from the equator are larger due to lower average temperatures.

However, there is some inconsistency, as the Alaskan subspecies is one of the smallest. The differences between subspecies are small, only a few inches or ounces here and there.

Of course, there’s still a lot to learn about this wonderful eagle – read on to find out!

The red-tailed hawk is the largest member of the genus Buzzard

red tailed hawk wingspan

Red-tailed hawks are large birds, with the largest females having a wingspan of around 140 cm (4 ft 8 in).

female red tailed hawk wingspan

• Female red-tailed hawks are about 48 to 65 cm (19 to 26 in) long and have a wingspan of 105 to 147 cm (4 ft 10 in).

male red tailed hawk wingspan

• Male red-tailed hawks are slightly smaller, with a height of 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches) and a wingspan of 105 to 141 cm (3 ft 5 in to 4 ft 8 in).

Soaring red-tailed hawk’s impressive wingspan

red tailed hawk weight

Red-tailed hawks generally weigh between 1 kg (2.2 lb) and 1.5 kg (3.3 lb), although some larger females have been recorded as weighing 1.7 kg (3.74 lb).

female red tailed hawk weight

• Female red-tailed hawks weigh about 1.1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.8 to 3.3 pounds). However, most studies yield an average weight of about 1.2 kg (2.64 lb).

male red tailed hawk weight

• Male red-tailed hawks weigh about 850 grams to 1 kilogram (1.85 to 2.2 pounds). However, most studies yield an average weight of about 950 grams (2.1 lbs).

Red-tailed hawk subspecies size differences

Red-tailed hawks vary in size and weight among 16 subspecies. For example, the Southwest, Western, and Florida red-tailed hawks are the largest. Here, typical weights are on the higher end of the mean.

The Alaskan and Jamaican subspecies are the two smallest. Here, typical weights are on the lower end of the mean. For example, males of some small subspecies weigh as little as 750 grams, while elsewhere as little as 1 kg.

Broadly speaking, with the exception of the small Alaskan subspecies, red-tailed hawks are on average slightly larger in the northern part of their range.

The Florida, Southwest and West subspecies are the largest of the red-tailed hawks

How big is a red-tailed hawk compared to a human?

The red-tailed hawk is one of the largest birds you’re likely to see in North and Central America. With a wingspan of up to 143 cm (56 in), they are about the height of an 11-year-old boy.

They are the second largest eagle in North America, after the small iron eagle. Red-tailed hawks are big and strong, so they are very imposing when they soar through the sky.

Of course, red-tailed hawks cannot easily be compared to golden and bald eagles, but they are still very large birds.

How big was the biggest red-tailed hawk ever?

The heaviest female red-tailed hawk ever recorded weighed 1,723 grams (3.799 pounds). Females winter in Wisconsin.

Red-tailed hawk perched on a rock wall

How big an animal can a red-tailed hawk pick up?

Some sources claim that red-tailed hawks can take off with prey weighing up to 2.2 kilograms or 5 pounds. However, that’s far more than the eagle’s own weight—or more than twice the size of an average-sized male—and seems unlikely in most cases.

In fact, red-tailed hawks can only lift a maximum of 2 to 3 pounds. Even 3 lbs will push the boundaries of the biggest women.

However, there have been many observations of red-tailed hawks catching fairly large ducks, large snakes, and domestic chickens weighing around 3 pounds.

Close up of a red tailed hawk perched on a fence

Why are red-tailed hawks so big?

Red-tailed hawks use their size to catch a wide range of prey, from small frogs, toads and reptiles to large snakes, birds and mammals.

The red-tailed hawk’s diet varies widely across its range, but most prey weighs 20 percent or less of the bird’s body weight.Such large prey are by no means a red-tailed hawk’s preference, but they are capable of lifting more weight than most members buzzard belongs to.

Additionally, the large wingspan helps these birds soar high in the air, allowing them to spot prey from a distance. During migration, they use thermal currents to soar high, making long-distance flight more efficient.

Red-tailed hawk swooping down on prey

Compared to other birds, the red-tailed hawk

Red-tailed hawks aren’t particularly large compared to other raptors in North and Central America, but you can’t underestimate them for a small raptor.

California condors and Andean condors, golden and bald eagles, gyrfalcons, iron eagles and turkey condors are all larger, just to name a few.

However, they are larger than red-shouldered hawks, cooper’s hawks, and 16 to 19 species of hawks from the Americas buzzard A genus that inhabits the same range as the red-tailed hawk.

In fact, the red-tailed hawk is second only to the largest ferrous hawk buzzard in North America.

Red-tailed hawk looking for prey

common problem

Is the red-tailed hawk the largest hawk in North America?

The red-tailed hawk is the second largest hawk in North America after the iron hawk. Iron eagles have a similar wingspan, but weigh an average of 1.5 kg (3.3 lb).

Are red-tailed hawks bigger than bald eagles?

Bald eagles are three to six times heavier than red-tailed hawks, and their wingspan is about 6.5 feet (2 meters), much larger than the red-tailed hawk’s 141-centimeter (4 feet, 8 inches) wingspan.

Can red-tailed hawks catch people?

A red-tailed hawk can only carry a maximum of around 2 kilograms (4 pounds), which is less than a newborn human baby.

Can a red-tailed hawk pick up a dog?

There are several breeds of dogs that weigh less than 2kg, such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, but red-tailed hawks have a hard time flying away with them. While they can take off with a puppy, an adult dog may resist too much to be worth it.

Of course, in places where hawks and other birds of prey roam the skies, it is necessary to care for puppies, but adult dogs are relatively safe from red-tailed hawks.