Where does the Red-shouldered Hawk live?
Buteo lineatus
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Open the appThe Red-shouldered Hawk lives in specific habitats and regions. Knowing where, and when, to look improves your chances of a successful sighting.
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.
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.
Elevation range
Typically found from sea level up to approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), though occasionally higher in some western populations.
Where to look
Mature Deciduous Forests
Look in older forests with a mix of tree species, particularly those with tall trees for nesting and perching.
Riparian Zones
Areas along rivers, streams, and wetlands are prime habitats due to the availability of water and prey.
Swamps and Floodplains
These wet woodland environments provide abundant amphibians and reptiles, a key food source.
Suburban Woodlands
In some areas, they adapt to suburban environments with large, mature trees and nearby green spaces.
Field tips
- Listen for Calls. Their loud, distinctive calls are often the first indication of their presence. Learn to recognize the 'kee-aah' call.
- Scan Tree Canopies. They often perch high in trees, especially near the edges of clearings or along waterways, waiting for prey.
- Watch for Soaring. Look for them soaring overhead, particularly on warm days, using thermals. Pay attention to the translucent wing crescents.
- Check Near Water. Focus your search efforts in woodlands adjacent to water bodies, as these are preferred hunting grounds.
Migration
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.
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