Red Tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis

It’s Aug 22nd/09 , Aikens Rd, Trenton, ON and pouring cats and dogs out. Image was taken from my car.
Nikon D300, 70-300 mm Nikkor lens,f/5.6,1/160 sec exp,ISO-250,-0.7 step,AP

The red tail is a small bird of prey often referred to as “chickenhawk”. The 1st of these hawks to be scientifically studied was found in Jamaica. A keen eyed and proficient hunter that prefers open fields and high perching areas to scan for rodents,squirrels,and mice. These hawks are highly adaptable and are found in mountains as well as tropical rain forests. Breeding season initiates a spectacular aerial event. They build large stick nests high above the ground in which the female lays 1 to 5 eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs for 4-5 wks .