How to identify the Red-shouldered Hawk

To correctly identify the Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

38-58 cm (15-23 in)

Wingspan

90-127 cm (35-50 in)

Weight

475-950 g (1.0-2.1 lbs)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   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.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

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

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

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

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Yellow

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

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

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   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.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

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

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

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

Key field marks

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

Explore the Red-shouldered Hawk