Learn about the fascinating biology and natural history of Redtailed Hawks with this upclose and personal minihawk documentary! Learn how to identify Redtailed Hawks. Redtailed Hawks have powerful legs and feet and use these to kill their prey rather than with their beak. The sharp talons of the hawk will penetrate the internal organs of their prey and lead to a quick death. The powerful beak is used to tear prey and swallow them. They have incredible eyesight and can spot movement of prey at great distances. There eyes have a third eyelid or nictitating membrane that can protect the eye as they crash through branches or brush to over power prey.