The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a native bird of prey found throughout North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada down to Central America. Recognizable by its broad, rounded wings and a distinctive reddish-brown tail, this hawk plays a crucial role in the ecosystem as a top predator. It helps control populations of small mammals, such as rodents and rabbits, which in turn supports agricultural health and balances local food webs. As a highly adaptable raptor, the red-tailed hawk thrives in diverse habitats including deserts, forests, grasslands, and urban areas, making it one of the most common and widely distributed hawks in its range.