Red-shouldered Hawk

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a strikingly patterned, medium-sized buteo of moist woodlands, especially river bottoms and swamp forest in the eastern United States, with a distinct population along the California coast. Adults show warm reddish shoulder patches (the source of the name), barred rufous underparts, and a boldly black-and-white banded tail.

In flight, a pale, translucent crescent near the tip of each wing (the "wing window") is a particularly useful and distinctive field mark, glowing when backlit.

Key field marks

• Reddish shoulder patches visible at rest
• Rich rufous barring across the breast and belly
• Black tail with several narrow white bands
• Pale, translucent crescent near the wingtips in flight (the wing window)

Similar species

Red-tailed Hawk lacks the banded tail (adults have a solid red tail) and the pale wing crescent, and shows a streaked belly band rather than fully barred underparts. Broad-winged Hawk is smaller and stockier with fewer, broader white tail bands and lacks the rufous shoulders.

Habitat

Strongly associated with moist, mature deciduous and mixed forest, especially bottomland hardwoods, river corridors, and swamps, though it also occurs in wooded suburbs within its range.

Range

Found across the eastern United States, from the Great Lakes and New England south to Florida and Texas, plus a distinct, non-migratory population along the coast of California. Eastern populations are partially migratory, with northern breeders moving south in winter, while southern and California birds are largely year-round residents.

Behavior

Red-shouldered Hawks typically hunt from a perch within or at the edge of forest, watching quietly for prey below before dropping down to seize it; they are highly vocal and territorial, especially in spring.

Voice

Gives a loud, distinctive, repeated "kee-yah, kee-yah, kee-yah" call, frequently heard year-round and often imitated (and sometimes mimicked) by Blue Jays.

Feeding and nesting

Diet includes small mammals, amphibians, reptiles (including snakes), and crayfish, reflecting its affinity for wet, wooded habitats. Builds a bulky stick nest high in a tree, typically in a fork close to water, reused and refurbished by the same pair across years.