Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Red-tailed Hawks:

Why are they in downtown Portland?

Red-tails are very tolerant of a wide array of habitat types. Surveys in the Pacific Northwest indicate that Red-tail populations have been either stable or increasing over the last 50 years. Other raptor species such as the Northern Spotted Owl, Northern Goshawk and Ferruginous Hawk have much more specific habitat needs and have been declining during this same time period. Red-tails have been able to utilize man-made structures such as buildings and towers for nesting and find an adequate source of food in the city pigeons (rock doves) and rats that proliferate on our urban landscape. Red-tails have been documented nesting in the trees in the downtown Park Blocks, on the ledges of area buildings and on grain towers in downtown Portland for years.

Dieter Waiblinger, viaLanguage

A Red-tailed Hawk and two newly hatched chicks in a nest in downtown Portland.

Won’t the humans watching them through the building windows disturb them?

In general, birds of prey are sensitive to disturbance by humans. Most raptors typically choose nest sites that are a safe distance from ground predators including humans. However certain individuals within a species sometimes exhibit a higher tolerance towards humans than others. The general the rule of thumb is that activity that is ongoing when a pair of birds choose their nest site is okay, but increasing the intensity of the activity or adding new activities in close proximity to the nest area after nesting has begun will often cause nest failure. Red-tails are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and interference with an active nest is a crime.

Isn’t it dangerous for these birds to nest in the middle of the city?

Cities present special hazards for birds including windows, cars and power lines. However, a wide array of species, including red-tails, successfully nest and raise young in our city each year. Cities have an important role to play in protecting wildlife. The best thing that you can do to help our local wildlife is to plant native plants and trees in your yard to provide habitat for the animals that share our urban landscape.

What other birds of prey nest in Portland?

Our city is home to a wide array of birds of prey. Peregrine Falcons, the fastest animal on earth, nest on several Portland area bridges, Bald Eagles nest on Ross Island, Osprey nest all along the Willamette and Cooper’s hawks nest among our forested neighborhoods. Great Horned Owls, Barred Owls and Pygmy Owls can be found nesting on Forest Park and Tryon Creek State Park. Saw Whet Owls and Barn Owls can be found at the rural edges of the city. Probably the most common bird of prey in Portland is the Western Screech Owl which can be found in many of our local parks.

Where can I learn more?

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.

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