Zoo Buddy: Red-Tailed Hawks!

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Meet Tony and Tonya! They’re red-tailed hawks at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo in Monroe.

They’re in much of North America.

The University of Missouri’s Zoology program notes these birds can live up to 29 years old in captivity. The agency says many of these birds will die before two years old due to predators and injuries. If they make it past that time, they say the hawks can get to about 21 years old in the wild.

A distinctive feature is their bright red tails.

General Curator Lisa Taylor says their eyesight is 8x better than a human’s eyesight.

And she says they are incredible hunters! The talons help them catch prey, and they can swoop down silently.

While construction continues on the new Louisiana Purchase Exhibit, the Reptile Building is closed.

Until then, you can request some reptiles at educational programs or birthday parties, or you might just see one at the zoo when staff are taking them on a stroll.

Call 318-329-2400 for more information.

Due to weather delays, construction crews believe the new exhibit will be open sometime in the spring of 2026.

You can also volunteer with the zoo. Contact the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society through their Facebook page.

The zoo is open every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can get tickets to feed the budgies, feed the tortoises, ride the boat, or ride the train at the front office.

Click here for a breakdown of their prices.