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What the sources say

Red-Tailed HawkButeo jamaicensis

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Red-Tailed Hawk profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 32 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Red-tailed Hawk. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

The page saysThe copper-tailed hawk whose cry voices bald eagles in TV ads.
The source saysall adult red-tailed hawks have the copper-colored tail that gives them their common nameNote: tagline, first half; second half is the cry claim below
The page saysThe copper-tailed hawk whose cry voices bald eagles in TV ads.
The source saysThe powerful cry of a red-tailed hawk is the same cry used in TV commercials depicting bald eagles.
The page saysTypically open country with scattered perches
The source saysThey typically choose open areas with scattered, elevated places to perch.
The page saysfrom Alaska to Panama and the West Indies
The source saysthese raptors range from Alaska to Panama and from California to the West Indies
The page saysMostly rodents such as ground squirrels and mice, plus birds, reptiles, insects and fish
The source saysAbout 95 percent of the red-tailed hawk’s diet consists of rodents, especially ground squirrels and mice. They also dine on other birds, reptiles, and even insects and fish at the water's edge.
The page saysSees ultraviolet colours humans cannot
The source saysThey can see colors, like most humans can, as well as those in the ultraviolet range. This means that the hawks can perceive colors that humans cannot see.
The page saysSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance says red-tails see colours much as people do, plus colours in the ultraviolet range, which humans cannot see.
The source saysThey can see colors, like most humans can, as well as those in the ultraviolet range. This means that the hawks can perceive colors that humans cannot see.
The page saysA clear inner eyelid, the nictitating membrane, cleans and protects the eye while the hawk grapples with its prey.
The source saysThese predators have a nictitating membrane; the clear inner lid cleans the eye and protects it while the hawk is wrestling with its prey.
The page saysTV commercials about bald eagles use a red-tailed hawk's cry instead. To advertisers, the hawk simply sounds grander and more like an eagle than the real thing.
The source saysThe powerful cry of a red-tailed hawk is the same cry used in TV commercials depicting bald eagles. Advertisers feel the hawk's voice sounds more regal and eagle-like than the eagle's!
The page saysWingspan runs 41 to 53 inches (105 to 135 centimetres).
The source saysWingspan: 41 to 53 inches (105 to 135 centimeters)
The page saysA female stands 20 to 26 inches (50 to 65 centimetres) tall and weighs 2 to 3 pounds (900 to 1,400 grams). Males are smaller, at 1.5 to 2.9 pounds (690 to 1,300 grams).
The source saysHeight: Females, 20 to 26 inches (50 to 65 centimeters) tall ... Weight: Females, 2 to 3 pounds (900 to 1,400 grams); males, 1.5 to 2.9 pounds (690 to 1,300 grams)
The page saysThe tail that gives the bird its name is copper-coloured in adults, while juveniles do not have red tails.
The source saysall adult red-tailed hawks have the copper-colored tail that gives them their common name ... Juvenile red-tailed hawks, no matter where they live, do not have red tails.
The page saysFor all their soaring ability, the zoo says red-tails wait on a perch for prey instead of hunting from high above. Most often they launch hard off the perch, glide down and grab a meal on the ground.
The source saysDespite its strength and soaring ability, red-tails perch in wait for prey rather than soaring overhead They most often fly powerfully from a perch and then glide and snatch their meal from the ground.
The page saysRodents make up about 95 percent of what they eat, mainly ground squirrels and mice; birds, reptiles, insects and even fish caught at the water's edge are also taken.
The source saysAbout 95 percent of the red-tailed hawk’s diet consists of rodents, especially ground squirrels and mice. They also dine on other birds, reptiles, and even insects and fish at the water's edge.
The page saysThe hawk then has to defend its catch from golden eagles, bald eagles and ferruginous hawks.
The source saysdefend it from other raptors—golden eagles, bald eagles, and ferruginous hawks—long enough to eat it
The page saysLife is hard: half of all red-tails die before their first birthday.
The source saysHalf of all red-tails do not make it through their first year of life.
The page saysRed-tails live from Alaska south to Panama, and east from California into the West Indies.
The source saysthese raptors range from Alaska to Panama and from California to the West Indies
The page saysThey avoid tundra and thick forest but are more adaptable than any other hawk in their genus, living in deserts, plains, farmland, parks, woodlands and even tropical rainforests.
The source saysAlthough they avoid the tundra and thick forest, red-tailed hawks are more adaptable than any other hawk in the Buteo genus. They inhabit a wide range of habitats, including scrub, desert, plains, grasslands, agricultural fields, pastures, parks, woodlands, and tropical rainforests.
The page saysA red-tail tends to keep the same territory its whole life, and it can be as large as 25 square kilometres (9.6 square miles).
The source saysRed-tailed hawks tend to keep the same territory their whole life; it can be as large as 9.6 square miles (25 square kilometers).
The page saysBirds from Canada and Alaska fly as far south as Panama for winter.
The source saysThose birds that live in Canada and Alaska migrate as far south as Panama to winter.
The page saysSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance gives a wingspan of 41 to 53 inches (105 to 135 centimetres). Females weigh 2 to 3 pounds and males 1.5 to 2.9 pounds.
The source saysWingspan: 41 to 53 inches (105 to 135 centimeters) ... Weight: Females, 2 to 3 pounds (900 to 1,400 grams); males, 1.5 to 2.9 pounds (690 to 1,300 grams)
The page saysYes. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance says commercials showing bald eagles use the red-tailed hawk's cry. To advertisers, the hawk sounds more regal than the eagle itself.
The source saysThe powerful cry of a red-tailed hawk is the same cry used in TV commercials depicting bald eagles. Advertisers feel the hawk's voice sounds more regal and eagle-like than the eagle's!
The page saysYes. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance says red-tails see the usual colours plus ultraviolet, a range invisible to people.
The source saysThey can see colors, like most humans can, as well as those in the ultraviolet range. This means that the hawks can perceive colors that humans cannot see.
The page saysLike all raptors, the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) has excellent vision.
The source saysRed-tailed hawks, like all raptors, have excellent vision.
The page saysBorrowed voice. TV commercials about bald eagles use a red-tailed hawk's cry instead.
The source saysThe powerful cry of a red-tailed hawk is the same cry used in TV commercials depicting bald eagles.Note: blockquote lead-in plus first sentence, as the pack joins them
The page saysThe red-tail's powerful cry is the one TV commercials showing bald eagles use in place of the eagle's own.
The source saysThe powerful cry of a red-tailed hawk is the same cry used in TV commercials depicting bald eagles.Note: vibe.reason

Source
02

AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Human Ageing Genomic Resources

AnAge entry for Buteo jamaicensis. AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Human Ageing Genomic Resources.

The page saysAnAge says wild birds do not normally live more than 16 years, though the record in the wild is 30.7 years.
The source saysIn the wild they do not normally live more than 16 years [ 0437 ]; record longevity in the wild is 30.7 years [ 0427 ].
The page saysA wild one rarely passes 16, and the oldest wild bird on its record reached 30.7 years.
The source saysIn the wild they do not normally live more than 16 years [ 0437 ]; record longevity in the wild is 30.7 years [ 0427 ].
The page saysOnce grown, about 6 to 7 years on average, according to AnAge.
The source saysThe average longevity for these animals once they reach maturity is about 6 to 7 years.

Source
03

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Buteo jamaicensis (red-tailed hawk). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysfemales are about 25 percent larger than males, a size gap common among birds of prey
The source saysfemales are 25% larger than males. This kind of sexual dimorphism, where females are larger than males, is common in birds of prey.

Source
04

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024

Buteo jamaicensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T22695933A264594226.

The page saysThe IUCN rates the species Least Concern.
The source saysLeast Concern (LC)Note: GBIF copy of the Red List checked for Buteo jamaicensis, taxon 22695933
The page saysLeast Concern
The source saysLeast Concern (LC)Note: stats.conservationStatus

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.