The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey, one of three species known in the United States as the 'chickenhawk.' It's diet is mainly small animals but includes reptiles and small birds. Up to 85% of a this hawk's diet revolves around rodents. The Red-tailed Hawk either scans for prey from an elevated perch or watches for its prey while flying. Thanks to the Black Hills Raptor Center, we had the opportunity to spend a morning with this beautiful bird named Elise.