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Aves - Neognathae - Accipitriformes - Accipitridae - Buteo - Buteo jamaicensis

Sternum (Breast Bone) of a Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailed Hawk)

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Species Description
The Red-Tailed Hawk is one of the most common hawks in North America, found throughout the continent. They live in a wide range of habitats, but prefer mixed forest and fields. The Red-Tailed Hawk is also known as the Chickenhawk, although they do not frequently eat chickens. Their main prey are small mammals; rodents can make up 85% of the Red-Tailed Hawk’s diet. However, they take a large variety of prey, with sizes ranging from beetles to jackrabbits. Their courtship involves complex flight displays; they will soar in circles high in the air, with the male occasionally reaching out his feet to touch the female. Red-Tailed Hawks will also sometimes clasp talons and plummet, spiraling towards the ground until they pull away and begin circling again. Given their intelligence and trainability, Red-Tailed Hawks make up the majority of hawks captured for falconry.
Skeletal Elements Available

Sternum (Breast Bone)	Left Humerus (Left Upper Arm Bone)	Right Humerus (Right Upper Arm Bone)
Left Femur (Left Upper Leg Bone)	Right Femur (Right Femur)

External Links
Animal Diversity Web Encyclopedia of Life Wikipedia