There has been a lot of red-tailed hawk screeching going on lately. So, if you've noticed a large brownish or reddish colored bird perched on a light pole, telephone pole, or even a radio tower somewhere in Illinois, chances are you've spotted a red-tailed hawk. Red-tailed hawks are year-round residents across the state. Red-tailed hawks prefer to scan fields from high perches, watching for rabbits, mice, squirrels, snakes, and other prey (like other birds) before gliding down for the catch. Young red-tailed hawks don't actually have red tails.