The quantity of Red-tailed Hawks increases in North Texas as northern birds migrate south and add their numbers to our resident population. Combine this with improved viewing due to trees being denuded of leaves in the winter, and you can expect to see lots of Red-tailed Hawks in the Dallas/Fort Worth area during this time of the year.

I observed five Red-tailed Hawks within roughly 100 yards/meters of each other near Killian Middle School in Lewisville, Texas. Three hawks were in one group of trees and two more hawks were perched together in another tree near Parker Road.

Included in this group was an example of almost every color variant you can imagine for a Red-tailed Hawk. There was one darkly colored bird—a juvenile hawk. In addition, there was a light morph Red-tailed Hawk and a couple of more typically colored birds.

There are three Red-tailed Hawks in these trees.
There are three Red-tailed Hawks in these trees.
The two at the top-left are easy to see. The one to the right is obscured by branches and is more difficult to make out.
The two at the top-left are easy to see. The one to the right is obscured by branches and is more difficult to make out.
There were two more Red-tailed Hawks in this tree, roughly 100 yards/meters from the other three birds.
There were two more Red-tailed Hawks in this tree, roughly 100 yards/meters from the other three birds.
This hawk sports the coloration of a typical North Texas Red-tailed Hawk.
This hawk sports the coloration of a typical North Texas Red-tailed Hawk.
This appears to be a first year juvenile dark morph.
This appears to be a first year juvenile.
As I watched the hawks would sometimes trade positions with each other. These two hawks are watching as a third bird approaches.
As I watched the hawks would sometimes trade positions with each other. These two hawks are watching as a third bird approaches.
The third hawk's arrive causes some commotion.
The third hawk’s arrival causes some commotion.
Red-tailed Hawks in Lewisville, Texas.
Red-tailed Hawks in Lewisville, Texas.

Observation Details

County – Denton
City – Lewisville
Date – Jan 3, 2013
Time of Day – Morning
Temperature – Cold (less than 50°F/10°C)
Weather – Clear
Habitat – Undeveloped-Field
Type of Behavior – Congregating
Gender – Mixed
Maturity – Mixed
Observer – Chris Jackson
Main Article – Red-tailed Hawk Observation Location

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By Chris Jackson's DFW Urban Wildlife1 Comment on Red-tailed Hawk – Five Guys

One Reply to “Red-tailed Hawk – Five Guys”

  1. Great sighting, Chris. Red-tails are such fascinating birds to watch. I’m seeing them regularly in my local NYC park right now and love the easy viewing that.the bare trees of winter give. I’ve never seen five at once, though!

    Reply

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