Classification

KINGDOM – Animalia
Organisms are heterotrophic, multi-cellular stages with no alternation of generation and does not contain cell walls.

PHYLUM - Chordata

At some point in time, these organisms contained a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal pouches, endostyle and a postanal tail.

CLASS - Aves

Organism is a warm-blooded vertebrate with limbs modified into wings and reduced bone numbers with a hollow interior. Organisms also have amniotic eggs and modification in epidermal scales to feathers.

ORDER - Falconiform

Organisms are carnivorous with great eyesight, known for their predatory skills including eagles, hawks, falcons, etc.

FAMILY - Accipitridae

Organisms have broad wings to help them fly for long distances and have strong legs.

GENUS - Buteo

Organisms have sharp, hooked beaks, a rounded forehead and feet with sharp talons.

SPECIES – Buteo jamaicensis
Red-tailed: In reference to the brick-red tail of adult hawks.
Hawk: Comes from the Teutonic base word hab, meaning “to seize or take hold”.  The word evolved into Middle English hauk from which now is said “hawk”.
Buteo is a Latin term for falcon or hawk and jamaicensis is in reference to Jamaica where the bird was first scientifically studied.  The Red-tailed hawk has also been referred to as the "Chicken Hawk, Buzzard Hawk, Hen Hawk, Mouse Hawk, and Red Hawk.

This phylogenetic tree is based on evolutionary
characteristics and developments within the Accipitridae family.

This phylogenetic tree shows the break down of organisms by evolutionary and molecular data of the major supergroups.

To learn more about the classification of Red-tailed hawks
 and other similar organisms, click here.

To find out where the Red-tailed hawk calls home, click here.

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