In the spring of 2007, a pair of Red-tail Hawks nested on the fire escape outside of the windows of the viaLanguage Offices in middle of downtown Portland.

In late March a webcam was carefully installed to avoid disturbing the birds, but to allow the public an up-close view of nesting process occurring hundreds of feet above the streets of our city. We hope you enjoy this window into the world of these majestic creatures on the kgw.com - Audubon - vialanguage RaptorCam.

Click here to view the Hawks' nest live on our RaptorCam

About Red-tailed Hawks:

KGW / Audubon RaptorCam, courtesy: viaLanguage

Red-tails are among the most common and widespread raptors (birds of prey) occurring in North America. They can be found in grassland, woodland, mountain, desert and urban habitats. They can frequently be observed perching on telephone poles along highways where they wait to surprise small prey as it crosses the open road. These broad-winged hawks (known as “Buteos”) are built for soaring and consume a wide range of prey that includes live and dead mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Red-tails are large, stocky hawks with females weighing on average just over 2.5 pounds and males slightly smaller at an average of 2.25 pounds. Plumage varies widely, but most commonly features buffy chest with darker colored head and belly band. Tail feathers are brown during the first year but are replaced by the red feathers that give the species its name during the second year.

Red-tails are migratory. However at lower elevations, in more temperate climates, red-tails may remain near their nesting territory year-round. Red-tails nest throughout the Portland Metro region and our natural areas play host to an even larger number of red-tails that migrate in from the north to pass the winter months.

Red-tails generally form permanent bonds with their mates and return to the same nesting territories year after year. They build large stick nests, most commonly in deciduous trees, but will also utilize conifers, cliffs, transmission towers and building ledges. Red-tails lay from 1-4 eggs. Eggs are laid approximately 48 hours apart meaning that in a large clutch there can be as much as six days age difference between the youngest and oldest nestlings. Incubation lasts 28-32 days. The female does the majority of the incubating with the male providing food. After hatching the young spend on average 44-46 days in the nest before attempting their first flights.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about Red-tailed Hawks

Want to learn more?

The Audubon Society of Portland offers a wide array of natural history classes, trip and events throughout the year. For more information, go to www.audubonportland.org.