St. John USVI Fauna: Jamaican Red-Tailed Hawk

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(Buteo jamaicensis)

This hawk was photographed by Deborah Green from her house on St. John.

Although native to Jamaica the Jamaican Red-Tailed Hawk can be found on St. John and throughout North America.

The females tend to be larger than the males and measure between 20 and 25 inches in length with a wingspan of up to 54 inches. Males measure between 18 and 23 inches in length with a wingspan up to 45 inches. Females weigh between 2 and 3½ pounds, males between 1½ and 2½ pounds.

Red-tailed hawks are said to be capable of flying at speed of more than 60 mph. Their diet consists mostly of small mammals.