Return to Operation WildLife, Linwood, Kansas home pageAdvocates for Wildlife in northeast Kansas. We rescue and rehabilitate wild animals and educate the general public.

"Foggy" - a Red-Tailed Hawk

Foggy This mature female red-tailed hawk was found in Bonner Springs, KS after being hit by a car. The head trauma that she suffered left the left eye non-functioning. Because of the positioning of the hawk's eye she is totally devoid of any type of sight on that side. "Foggy" is a valuable part of OWL's education team.


Fun Facts

  • Red-tailed hawks come in nine color phases ranging from white (Kryders) to dark brown (Harlan).
  • They build nests in trees out of sticks and twigs.
  • Most widely distributed hawk in North America.
  • A common hawk to Kansas, they will spend hours on the power lines and poles along our roadways.
  • Prefers mixed country - open pasture land, fields, interspersed with woods.
  • Immature birds have light eyes and a striped tail. Red tail comes in second year of life.
  • Mature birds have dark brown eyes.
  • Has the capability of hovering. Hunts while soaring or from a stationary perch.
  • Eyesight is keen - can see a mouse from a mile high in the sky.
  • Eggs are incubated almost entirely by the female for approximately 30 days.
  • Young fledge at about 45 days.
  • Average life span is approximately 20 years in the wild.

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