Red Tail Hawk

This is one of my favorite birds of prey, the Red Tailed Hawk. This particular bird is in captivity at the Fort Collins Environmental Learning Center. I shot this through a chain link fence on purpose which is what gives it the sort of muddled look.

Red-tailed hawks are known for their brick-colored tails but there are many variations that don't have this colorization. They are keen-eyed and excellent hunters. Apparently, one of these birds landed on our backyard fence a few days ago with a pigeon in his beak for his lunch. He left evidence of his feast on the ground with feathers and a carcass picked clean to the bone. I only know it was a Red Tailed Hawk instead of some other bird of prey because our house guest witnessed the meal as she was eating her own at our dining room table.