Red-tailed nest

I thought I would share a Red-tailed hawk's nest we came across while hiking in Saguaro West NP last March. It is the largest nest I have ever seen and I estimate it to be around 4-5 feet tall. I have no idea how long it would take to build such a nest, maybe it was built upon year over year. Since I have never seen a large Eagle or Osprey nest I have no comparison but it was impressive to see this. One of the other interesting things about this nest was that it was at the bottom of a small canyon. We were able to climb the ridge just above the nest for a unique view of looking right down into the nest (see 2nd image post). We did not want to disturb the nesting hawk by getting any closer so we were careful to position ourselves just over the ridge to look down and then climbed back down the other side. You just never know what you will encounter when you get out.
Regards,
Jim

View from top of the ridge looking down into nest.

Impressive indeed. I've never seen a red-tail nest so big even though I've seen many in Saguaros.

I've seen Golden Eagle nests that big, but never Red-tail. Impressive.

Most massive R.T. nest I've ever seen! Thank for sharing!
Anyone know if great horned owls and red tails have a time-share arrangement on a single nest in AZ as they often do further north?

Dave Graham
Estelline, SD

wow--that is a huge nest. wonder how many years it's been used and added to. thanks for posting this.