Circe the Red-tailed Hawk
Hatched: Summer 2022
Arrived at WSWC: June 28, 2023
Sex: Female
Circe came to the wildlife center in June of this year and was deemed non-releasable due to an eye injury and partial blindness following a vehicle collision in Camp Hill. She hatched in the wild in 2022 and was named after the Greek goddess known for turning her enemies into animals. Red-tailed Hawks are renowned for their striking appearance, with fiery-red tails and piercing eyes that command respect and admiration. As predators at the top of the avian food chain, they are essential members of our ecosystem.
About Red-tailed Hawks
Size: Red-tailed Hawks are one of the largest raptors in North America with an average wingspan of 3.2 to 4.8 feet.
Lifespan: Red-tailed hawks have a relatively long lifespan for birds of prey, often living up to 10 to 20 years in the wild. In captivity, they can live even longer, sometimes reaching their late 20s.
Diet: They primarily hunt small mammals like rodents (mice, voles, and rabbits) but also prey on birds, reptiles, and occasionally insects.
Reproduction: Red-tailed hawks are monogamous during the breeding season. Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs, which hatch after about 28 to 35 days.
Range: Red-tailed hawks are widespread across North America and can be found from Alaska and Canada down to Central America. They are adaptable birds and can inhabit a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and urban areas.
Other Facts: Red-tailed hawks have a distinctive, piercing scream that is often used in movies and television to represent a generic raptor or eagle call, even though it doesn't accurately depict other species vocalizations.