Waiting for the Unsuspecting
Description
The Red-shouldered Hawk is a medium to large hawk measuring 15 to 19 inches in length and a wingspan of 3 to 3 ½ feet. Adults have a brown head and a red tinted chest. Their belly is pale in color with reddish bars.The wings are tail are distinctive. The wings are long and dark with visible barring. Compared to other hawks of similar size, the tail is quit long and the narrow white bars are clearly visible. The reddish shoulder patches that the bird is named for are easily seen when the bird is sitting on a perch.
The female is slightly larger than the male but carries similar markings. The juveniles are often mistaken for Broad-winged Hawks.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Backyard visitor
4-30-09 CA 133 Some...
red-shouldered hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk...
Red-shouldered Hawk
Range and Habitat
The Red-shouldered Hawk can be seen throughout the eastern United States and along the coast of California and northern Mexico. Birds residing in the northern area of the range will migrate but most are year-round residents within their domain. They inhabit dense woodlands preferring swampy lowlands near streams and rivers. Red-shouldered Hawk
The Barred Owl and the Red-shouldered Hawk inhabit the same territory, and hunt the same prey. The Red-shouldered Hawk is active during the day and the Barred Owl patrols the night.
Mating and Nesting
The Red-shouldered Hawk is extremely vocal during the early stages of courtship. The male will circle its territory uttering a loud whistling scream. Once the breeding season starts in earnest, they are rarely heard.As with most hawks, the Red-shouldered Hawk make their nests of sticks. They usually nest in the same area but build a new nest every year. They may go back a refurbish a nest that was used several years before but do not use the same nest from year to year. Their nests are built in the trees but rather than toward the top of the trees, they build them half way up. They also line the nest with greenery, something most hawks rarely do.
The female lays two to four eggs. The eggs are incubated for about 33 days and the job is shared by both the male and female. The young fledge around six weeks of age and start breeding at two years of age.
Watching and Waiting
Diet
The Red-shouldered Hawk hunts from a perch. It will sit quietly until prey wanders into its line of sight. Once the prey is spotted, it drops down and snatches it. The Red-shouldered Hawk feeds on small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects. 
What did you say?
Voice
Red-shouldered Hawk emits a high, shrill scream,kee-yeeear, kee-yeeear, kee-yeeear. It is often heard during the breeding season. Birds of Prey: The Hawk
Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 07/10/2009)
A nice handy guide to hawks and owls, especially for beginners and less experienced birders... Robert E. Hoopes, Wildlife Activist 06/2004
An excellent identification guide... the photos are well chosen... the text is clear and concise. Jim Williams, Minneapolis Star Tribune 08/18/2004
Conservation Status
Due to the loss of habitat, the Red-shouldered Hawk's numbers have declined but the current populations appear to be stable. As with all the birds dependent on old growth forests, their numbers need to be monitored. It doesn't take much to tip the balance. We've lost enough birds and don't need to lose anymore. Selecting a Pair of Bird Watching Binoculars
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Selecting a Pair of Bird Watching Binoculars
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When I look out my window and watch the birds flutter around the birdfeeder, I really don't need a pair of binoculars or a scope to enjoy the sight. I frequently stop by the window and watch the birds for a minute or two between household tasks. (Occ...
The Raptor Almanac
The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Amazon.com Review
Few people, writes Scott Weidensaul, are apathetic toward raptors. Once you've seen a hawk or a falcon or an eagle in action, you're likely to take an interest in how these great birds of prey make their homes in the world. The Weidensaul's encyclopedic guidebook to the world's principal raptor species, well illustrated with photographs, maps, and charts and full of detailed information, is an ideal companion.
Some of My Favorite Birds of Prey
Have you seen any interesting birds lately?
aj2008 wrote...
We love our birds of prey and recently a pair of red kites have taken to circling our locality, which is in a very countrified suburb. Close to town but the woods and fields are only a couple of streets away.
This is another lovely lens Lizzie.
Posted March 05, 2009
Tipi wrote...
Another very nice bird lens Lizzy. The Red Shouldered Hawk looks like quite the bird in-deed and in beauty. Well done!
Posted February 14, 2009
WhiteOak50 wrote...
Did you take these pictures of the Hawk? Beautiful Lens!!
Posted November 09, 2008
JaguarJulie wrote...
There are a couple of hawks that can be found at the top of some of the tallest trees in our community. A while back, I actually SAW a hawk hit one of two birds flying and bring it to the ground. It was very unsettling. About that same time, we found feathers on our patio screened top.
Posted October 11, 2008
About the Author
Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen, aka Lizzy Jean, has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,690 lenses, favorited 454, and has created 169 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses
Why Birds Do That
Why Birds Do That: 40 Distinctive Bird Behaviors Explained & Photographed
Amazon Price: $12.44 (as of 07/10/2009)
Birds are fascinating. Their behavior is complex, often comical. Some sing while others do not. Why Birds Do That explains forty distinctive bird behaviors and is enhanced with numerous photographs. It is a must have book for both the backyard bird watcher as well as the avid birder.
Resources used to construct this page.
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Carolina Raptor Center: Red-shouldered Hawk
Peregrine Fund: Red-shouldered Hawk
Birds of North America Online: Red-shouldered Hawk
by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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