Mexican Highlands red-tailed hawk


The Mexican Highlands red-tailed hawk is a subspecies of red-tailed hawk endemic to the Mexican Highlands. Not all authorities recognize this race, however, in recent years, most list it as valid. Like other Neotropical races, this one is relatively small. wing chord averages in males and. Males and females average in tail length, in tarsal length and in culmen length. Apparently, this race is similar to B. j. kemsiesi to the south but unlike that race it has rufous barring that extends to the flanks and belly. Apparently, some dark morphs have occurred. One other unique feature is its massive feet, with a toe length nearly 10% longer than the western red-tailed hawk despite its otherwise small body size. The evolutionary reason for these relatively large feet is not known.