![]() Red-tailed hawks will eat mice, rats, rabbits, and squirrels, and they’re also fans of snakes, carrion, or even larger birds like pheasants and starlings. What’s interesting about these birds is that they mostly feed on mammals, not other birds. As a result, you’ll find it at various places including the countryside, parks, woodlands, fields, and more. The best thing about the red-tailed hawk is that it adapts pretty quickly to its surroundings. Yet, their plumage can range from white to black, so you can’t exactly rely on its color for identification. Red-tailed hawks are known for their characteristically red tails. It’s one of the largest hawks you could come across, and it’s quite easy to identify due to its unique coloring. The third type of hawk you may be fortunate enough to witness in Colorado is the red-tailed hawk. If you feel the same way about this, you can take down your feeders so that songbirds will stay away and predators won’t come near where you live. However, most people aren’t fans of watching Cooper’s hawk capture smaller birds, like mourning doves and European starlings, near their houses. These raptors prey on songbirds, so you might find one of these hawks close by if you have bird feeders in your yard. In Colorado, you’ll often see Cooper’s hawks near woods or on the edge of fields. They have the same coloring of chest, head, and wings, so it can be impossible to tell them apart in flight. Just like we’ve mentioned earlier, Cooper’s hawks are pretty identical to sharp-shinned hawks. For instance, a sharp-shinned hawk releases more high-pitched sounds, and it’s smaller than Cooper’s hawk. Yet, there are some differences between the two species. ![]() Many people mistake sharp-shinned hawks for Cooper’s hawks because they look so much alike. They often ambush birds by waiting patiently for their prey, then bolt at high speed to ensnare them. Sharp-shinned hawks feed on smaller songbirds. When this hawk is in flight, its wings are usually short and rounded, and it has a long tail. Look for bars of orange on the bird’s upper chest and blue-gray wings and back. ![]() Still, the appearance of the sharp-shinned Hawk is pretty notable. Plus, it frequents bird feeders, so you might find one in your backyard.īecause this hawk is athletic, it may be hard to identify while it’s flying at high speed. The smallest in Colorado, the sharp-shinned hawk can be found mostly around forested areas. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, eat different foods, and live in varying habitats. The most remarkable thing about hawks in Colorado is their diversity. And if you happen to live in Colorado, you’re in luck because nine types of hawks of the 25 present in the United States live there. It’s always a pleasure to witness birds of prey, especially hawks. ![]()
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