Greetings,

I've been driving down to Eugene from Seattle a lot since September, and
I always count the hawks I see going both ways. Because of location,
and size (although size still gives me problems, especially since I am
usually traveling close to 70 MPH), I assume that most of the sitting
hawks are red-tails. I did see two kestrels yesterday on my way back
from Eugene. I have been formulating several questions, and thought I
would post them to Tweeters--I learn so much by reading the posted info.

1] Besides red-tails (and in the summer, Turkey Vultures), are there
other hawks about the same size as red-tails that would be perched on
fence posts or in trees along side the freeway?
2] It appears to me that red-tails are in the air much less in the
winter-time than in the summer. Is this really true?
3] If it is true, is it due to the fact that there are less thermals in
the winter-time; or is there some other reason for the change in
habit--could the prey be hiding differently due to reduced protection
from overhead foliage and thereby requiring the hawks to be closer to
the ground to find their prey?
4] Does anyone know how often a red-tail feeds if food is available?
How often does it have to feed in order to survive? When it is raining
hard for 5-7 days in a row, and the hawk is wet (and probably cold) how
threatening to its health is this?
5] What is the average life span of a red-tail?

A lover of birds, especially raptors,

Chris Southwick
Seattle,Wa
chriss at micronics.net