Red-tailed hawks feed on a wide variety of prey, using their powerful claws as weapons. Eighty to eighty-five percent of their diet consists of small rodents. Mammals as large as eastern cottontail rabbit may also be taken. Reptiles and other birds make up the rest of the diet. Male red-winged blackbird are common prey because they are so visible when guarding their nests. They do most of their hunting from a perch. Red-tailed hawks have antagonistic relationships with many bird species. Some smaller bird species mob hawks. —
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