How can the sex of Red-tailed Hawks generally be predicted?

The sex of Red-tailed Hawks can generally be predicted by their weight and size. In raptors, females are typically larger than males, a characteristic known as sexual dimorphism. This size difference is common in many bird species, where females may be about 25% larger than males. Being aware of these physical size differences allows falconers and bird watchers to make informed guesses regarding the sex of the bird, especially when directly observing individuals in the wild or in training situations.

While other physical characteristics like coloration of plumage and eye color are present in some raptor species, they do not reliably indicate the sex of the Red-tailed Hawk. Plumage coloration can vary widely among individuals regardless of sex, and eye color may change with age but does not provide a definitive method for sex identification. Thus, focusing on weight and dimensions serves as the most practical and effective approach to determining the sex of these birds.