Big Hawk Stretches Wings In San Juan Capistrano: Photo Of The Day

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — It's a bird, it's a plane! Wait, no... it's actually a bird — a bird of prey, that is. This red-tailed hawk was hanging out at San Juan Creek Tuesday when resident photographer Kristine Erickson caught sight of him.

The result is this: a spectacular look at this hawk's plumage. Red-tailed hawks are common along the coast of California, as well as throughout North America and in parts of Canada and the West Indies, according to AllAboutBirds.org.

Adult red-tailed hawks, also known as "red-tails," have dark brown heads and lighter brown throats. The tails of most adults, predictably, is a brick-red color with black bands. When you spot one flying above you, the dark red of the hawk's tail will often appear light orange.

Red-tailed hawks are opportunistic feeders, and mostly feed on small rodents. They are one of the three species informally known in the United States as the "chickenhawk." Don't worry, though — red-tails rarely prey on standard-sized chickens, though you might keep an eye on your tiny dog if you're sharing space with this guy. Just to be safe.