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| Pentax 600mm lens |
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| Pentax 600mm lens |
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| Pentax 600mm lens + Pentax 1.4x-L converter |
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| Pentax 600mm lens + Pentax 1.4x-L converter |
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| Pentax 600mm lens + Pentax 2x-L converter |
This Red Tailed Hawk is likely an immature female. The red-tailed hawk is the most common and widespread buteo of North America. Up to 16 subspecies are recognized; similar in shape and habits; usually distinguished by ventral coloration, tail markings, and/or size, but there is no clear geographic trend in any of these characters. Not every subspecies has the distinctive red tail. Sexes similar in appearance though females are consistently larger. Red-tails have a chunky body, and broad round tipped wings. Their upperparts range from brown to black and underparts are white to black. Adults typically have a reddish tail with a narrow, dark band at the tip. The tail is sometimes streaked or spotted and often spread or fanned in flight. The beak is dark becoming lighter basally. The iris of adult is yellow in younger birds, grading to brown in older hawks. Legs and feet are yellow with dark talons. Juveniles have narrower wings and longer tails that are brownish with seven to nine dark brown bands of equal width. The Western population is the most variable population of red-tails, with a complete range from light to dark plumage. Dark and intermediate morphs account for 10-20% of Western population.