Red-tailed Hawks are a highly variable species comprised of 5+ field identifiable sub-species here in the United States, dependent upon author(s).  The principal races are Eastern Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis borealis), Western Red-tailed Hawk (B.j. calurus), Fuertes Red-tailed Hawk (B.j. fuertesi), Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk (B.j. harlani) and the Florida Red-tailed Hawk (B.j. umbrinus). In the western sub-species, calurus, their is a continuum of appearance between the three major (3) color morphs utilized in field identification of the sub-species .  The following images are a work in progress, i.e.-not complete but represent my attempt to demonstrate the variety of appearances that these buteos can demonstrate to those individuals making observations in the field.  

(I would like to thank Bill Clark and Brian Sullivan for their review of the images and other comments they suggested to convey accuracy.)

Eastern Red-tailed Hawk (B.j. borealis)

Perched Juvenile Plumage

Perched Adult

Northern Red-tailed Hawk (B.j.jamaicensis abeiticola)

Perched Adult birds

Adult birds in flight or with wings exposed

Juvenile birds perched

Juvenile birds in flight

Fuertes Red-tailed Hawk (B.j. fuertes)

Adult bird in flight

 

Western Red-tailed Hawk (B.j. calurus)

Light Morph Birds to Rufous and Dark Morph Birds

 

Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk (B.j. kriderii)

Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk (B.j. harlani)

Juvenile bird perched

Juvenile in flight

Adults in flight

Probable Partial Albinistic Individual