Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed hawks are one of the few birds of prey apparently not affected by DDT. This is due to the fact that their diet is mainly rabbits, squirrels, and other rodents. Raptors like the Peregrine Falcon, that prey on other birds, have not been so fortunate. Because of their diet, Red-tails prefer semi-open country like this pine and palmetto scrub, where they can scan the ground for dinner, like this specimen is doing.