Red-tailed Hawks are common birds of prey across North America. These raptors inhabit a variety of landscapes, from forests and grasslands to urban environments. Their widespread presence makes them an iconic symbol of the continent’s wild spaces. This bird is particularly known for a distinctive vocalization that echoes across the sky.
The Distinctive Screech
The Red-tailed Hawk’s vocalization is a hoarse, raspy scream that descends in pitch, lasting two to three seconds. This sound is often transcribed as “kee-eee-ar” or “tsee-eeee-arr,” with some comparing it to a steam whistle. This piercing call is easily identifiable and frequently heard while the birds are soaring overhead.
The screech is widely recognized and has become a staple in popular media, often dubbed into films and television shows. This iconic sound is often used to represent other raptors, including Bald Eagles, whose natural calls are comparatively softer and less dramatic. The Red-tailed Hawk’s cry therefore serves as the archetypal sound for many birds of prey in cinematic portrayals.
Primary Reasons for Screeching
The Red-tailed Hawk’s screech serves multiple purposes. One primary function is territorial defense, where hawks use the loud call to assert their claim over hunting grounds and nesting sites. The intensity and frequency of screeches increase when a rival hawk, predator, or perceived threat enters their established area, sending a clear warning. These vocalizations are loud when the hawk feels threatened.
Screeching also plays a role in communication between mated pairs. Red-tailed Hawks are monogamous, often pairing for life, and their calls help them locate each other, especially when one partner is away from the nest. This contact call helps maintain the pair bond and coordinate activities within their shared territory. The screech can also function as an alarm, signaling potential danger to a mate or offspring. If a hawk spots a threat, it emits sharp screeches to alert others, allowing them to prepare for defense or take cover.
During the breeding season, which spans from late winter to early summer, the screech becomes part of courtship and bonding rituals. Males may perform aerial displays, emitting screeches as they soar and dive to impress a potential mate. Softer variations of the screech can also be used between partners to reinforce their bond. Young Red-tailed Hawks also develop a version of this call, using higher-pitched and more insistent screeches to beg for food from their parents.
Beyond the Screech: Other Vocalizations
While the far-carrying screech is the most prominent sound associated with Red-tailed Hawks, these birds produce other vocalizations. During courtship, adults may emit a shrill “chwirk” sound, sometimes in a series of calls. These softer, less intense calls are used in closer proximity between mates.
Young hawks make begging calls, which are variations of the screech, to solicit food from their parents. However, these other sounds are less common or less audible to human ears compared to the screech. The descending scream remains the most recognizable and frequently heard vocalization, serving many purposes in the Red-tailed Hawk’s life.