For a 30-ounce red-tail, how much should it be fed during the moult?

During the moult, a red-tailed hawk requires a higher intake of food to support the energetic demands of feather growth. Generally, during this period, it is recommended to feed hawks approximately 20% more than their regular daily food requirement. When considering a hawk that weighs 30 ounces, this increase translates into a feeding amount that would be around 36 ounces.

The reason 36 ounces is the appropriate choice is because it presents a well-calculated increment from the hawk's standard diet, ensuring it receives the nutrition needed to successfully undergo the moult. The other options represent amounts that exceed this necessary intake and could lead to overfeeding. Each of the higher values would not be needed, as birds can experience negative effects from excessive feeding, such as obesity and stress on their system. Thus, 36 ounces is the optimal amount to support the hawk's health during this critical phase of feather renewal.