Red-shouldered Hawk

About

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a medium-sized hawk of the genus Buteo, characterized by its distinctive reddish-brown barring on the underparts and rufous shoulders. It is a woodland raptor, often found near water, and is known for its loud, piercing calls.

Size & lifespan

Length

38-58 cm (15-23 in)

Wingspan

90-127 cm (35-50 in)

Weight

475-950 g (1.0-2.1 lbs)

Lifespan

Up to 19 years in the wild, typically 10-12 years.

Diet

Carnivore, primarily preying on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and occasionally birds and large insects.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults have reddish-brown barring on the underparts, rufous shoulders (visible when perched), and a black-and-white banded tail. The upperparts are dark brown with white mottling. Flight feathers are barred with black and white, creating a distinctive translucent crescent near the wingtips when viewed from below. Juveniles are streaked brown on the underparts, lack the rufous shoulders, and have a more narrowly banded tail.

Beak shape

Strong, hooked beak, dark gray to black with a yellow cere.

Eye color

Adults have dark brown eyes; juveniles have lighter, yellowish-brown eyes.

Leg color

Yellow

Distinguishing features

Rufous shoulders, reddish-brown barring on belly, black-and-white banded tail, and translucent crescents near wingtips in flight. Distinctive 'kee-aah' call.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles have streaked brown underparts, a less distinctly banded tail (often with more narrow, irregular bands), and lack the prominent rufous shoulders of adults. Their eyes are also lighter.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes; plumage remains consistent year-round after reaching adult coloration.

Sexual dimorphism

Females are typically 10-20% larger and heavier than males, but plumage is similar.

How to identify

1. 1

   Plumage (Adult)

   Look for the reddish-brown barring on the breast and belly, and the distinctive rufous (reddish) patches on the shoulders when perched. The tail is black with several narrow white bands.

2. 2

   Plumage (Juvenile)

   Juveniles have streaked brown underparts and a more narrowly banded tail. They lack the rufous shoulders and strong reddish barring of adults.

3. 3

   In Flight

   Observe the translucent, crescent-shaped patches near the wingtips when soaring or gliding. The black-and-white banded tail is also prominent. Wings are broad and rounded.

4. 4

   Vocalization

   Listen for its characteristic loud, piercing 'kee-aah' or 'kee-yer' calls, often repeated several times. This is one of the most reliable identification features.

5. 5

   Habitat

   They prefer mature woodlands, especially near water. If you're in such an environment and hear the distinctive call, it's likely a Red-shouldered Hawk.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Deciduous and mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, riparian woodlands, swamps, and suburban areas with mature trees.

Geographic range

Eastern North America, from southern Canada south to Florida and the Gulf Coast, and along the Pacific coast in California and Baja California. Absent from the central Great Plains.

Elevation range

Typically found from sea level up to approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), though occasionally higher in some western populations.

Preferred environments

Mature woodlands with an open understory, often near water sources such as rivers, streams, ponds, or swamps. They prefer areas with a mosaic of forest and open spaces for hunting.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, active during daylight hours.

Feeding habits

Primarily a perch-and-pounce predator, hunting from a concealed perch and swooping down on prey. Also hunts while soaring or flying low through the forest. Diet includes small mammals (voles, mice, shrews), amphibians (frogs, salamanders), reptiles (snakes, lizards), large insects, and occasionally small birds.

Social behavior

Generally solitary outside of the breeding season. During breeding, pairs are monogamous and highly territorial, defending their nesting area from other raptors.

Flight pattern

Often soars on thermals with wings held in a slight dihedral. When flapping, the wingbeats are relatively shallow and quick. Known for its distinctive 'rowing' flight pattern when moving between perches. Translucent crescents near the wingtips are a key field mark in flight.

Migration pattern

Northern populations are migratory, moving south for the winter. Southern populations are largely resident year-round. Migrants typically move along coastlines and mountain ridges, though less concentrated than some other raptors.

Territoriality

Highly territorial, especially during the breeding season. Pairs will actively defend their nesting and foraging territories from other raptors and potential threats.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically March to July, with peak egg-laying in April.

Nesting habits

Nests are built high in the canopy of deciduous trees, often near the main trunk or in a major fork. Nests are bulky structures made of sticks, twigs, bark, and moss, lined with softer materials like lichens, leaves, and feathers. Both parents contribute to nest building.

Clutch size

2-5 eggs

Egg description

2-5 eggs, typically 3-4. Eggs are dull white or pale bluish-white, often sparsely marked with brown or purplish spots and blotches.

Incubation period

28-33 days, primarily by the female, with the male providing food.

Fledging period

39-45 days after hatching. Young remain dependent on parents for several weeks after fledging.

Parental care

Both parents participate in raising the young. The female primarily incubates and broods, while the male provides most of the food. After hatching, both parents hunt and feed the nestlings.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for Calls. Their loud, distinctive calls are often the first indication of their presence. Learn to recognize the 'kee-aah' call.
2. Scan Tree Canopies. They often perch high in trees, especially near the edges of clearings or along waterways, waiting for prey.
3. Watch for Soaring. Look for them soaring overhead, particularly on warm days, using thermals. Pay attention to the translucent wing crescents.
4. Check Near Water. Focus your search efforts in woodlands adjacent to water bodies, as these are preferred hunting grounds.

Similar species

Quick facts

Diet:

Small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects

Habitat:

Mature woodlands, riparian forests, swamps

Call:

Loud, piercing 'kee-aah' or 'kee-yer'

Distinguishing Mark:

Rufous shoulders, reddish-barred underparts, translucent wing crescents

Migration:

Northern populations migratory, southern populations resident

Fun facts

• The Red-shouldered Hawk's call is frequently mimicked by Blue Jays, which can sometimes lead to misidentification.
• They are one of the few raptors that regularly prey on snakes and frogs, especially in wetland habitats.
• Despite their relatively small size for a Buteo, they are fierce defenders of their nests and will aggressively mob intruders, including humans.
• The western subspecies (B. l. elegans) found in California is often more brightly colored than its eastern counterparts.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Accipitriformes

Family

Accipitridae

Genus

Buteo

Species

Buteo lineatus

Explore the Red-shouldered Hawk