See What Happens When Hawk Hunts Snakes

Red-tailed Hawks are opportunistic hunters and will eat animals as diverse as rabbits, squirrels, snakes, lizards, insects and birds. However, 85% - 90% of their diet is made up of small mammals – mainly rabbits, squirrels, and rats. They are also able to distinguish between venomous and nonvenomous snakes. 

They hunt venomous snakes by using a special “matador” move. They fling their wings out in front of the snake to distract it. The snake will strike at the feathers, which have no blood flow and will not harm the hawk.

The hawk will then grab the snake and crush its head with its powerful feet ,if it is not venomous, Red-tailed Hawks will kill a snake by flying it up into the air and letting gravity do the work for them by dropping the snake on a hard surface.