Birds
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A broad-winged hawk often seen soaring over open country. A perfect companion to the grassland viewpoint experience at ABNC.
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Field Note
Red-tailed Hawks ride rising columns of warm air called thermals, barely flapping their wings as they soar higher.
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Where to Spot It at ABNC
Look up from viewpoints and open trail sections. Midmorning is best when thermals form over the warm grassland.
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Why It Matters
Raptors help visitors understand predator-prey relationships at the heart of grassland ecosystems.
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Good to Know
Watch the sky for a big hawk riding the wind — look for a rusty-red tail when it turns in the sun.