Red-shouldered Hawk

Identification

The red-shouldered hawk is a medium-sized buteo with distinctive plumage that makes it recognizable once you know what to look for. Adults display brownish heads, reddish chests, and pale bellies marked with reddish bars. Their notably long tails (by buteo standards) are barred with narrow white lines, and the characteristic red "shoulders" are visible when the bird is perched. Upper parts are dark with pale spotting, and bright yellow legs are prominent. Western birds tend to appear more intensely red, while Florida populations are generally paler. Males average 38–58 cm in length, while females are slightly larger at 47–61 cm, with wingspans ranging from 90 to 127 cm.

Juvenile red-shouldered hawks are most frequently confused with juvenile broad-winged hawks, but can be distinguished by their longer tails, crescent-like wing markings, and a more flapping, accipiter-like flight style. The red-shouldered hawk is also sometimes mistaken for the red-tailed hawk, which is larger and bulkier with broader, more evenly-sized wings, paler underparts, and a more prominent reddish tail. The red-tail also tends to soar steadily with wings held in a slight dihedral, unlike the red-shouldered hawk's more energetic flight patterns.

Range & Habitat

The red-shouldered hawk's breeding range spans eastern North America from southern Canada through the eastern United States to eastern Mexico, plus a western population along the California coast and into northern Baja California. Only northernmost populations migrate; most birds are permanent residents throughout their range, though northern birds typically winter in central Mexico and southern portions of the breeding range. The species follows leading lines during migration, with larger numbers recorded at coastal watch sites than inland locations.

These are forest raptors that prefer stands with open subcanopy for easier hunting. In the east, they inhabit bottomland hardwood stands, flooded deciduous swamps, and upland mixed deciduous-conifer forests. They are not exclusively deep-forest birds and can be found in suburban areas where buildings are interspersed with woodlands. Western populations favor riparian and oak woodlands, eucalyptus groves, and some residential areas. Deforestation represents the main conservation threat to this widespread species.

Behaviour & Diet

Red-shouldered hawks are active hunters with a distinctive flight style that sets them apart from larger buteos. They employ soaring, gliding, and flapping flight, with juveniles often preceding adults during autumn migration and adults leading the way in spring. These short- to moderate-distance migrants typically travel 300–1,500 km each way and usually migrate alone, though small flocks of three or more birds sometimes form. The species characteristically avoids crossing large bodies of water during migration.

Studies in southern California reveal that red-shouldered hawks maintain average home ranges of approximately 1.2 square kilometers and show fair adaptability to human-altered landscapes—an important trait given the severe loss of their preferred riparian forest habitat.

Best Time & Places to See It

Red-shouldered hawks are year-round residents throughout most of their range, making them accessible to travelers during any season. Eastern populations are most numerous during breeding season in woodlands and suburban areas with mixed forest cover. For migrants, coastal watch sites are more productive than inland locations, particularly during spring and autumn migration periods when the species follows established leading lines along ridges and coastlines. Winter visitors to the Gulf Coast region, southern New England, and Mexico's Jalisco and Veracruz provinces have good chances of encountering this species.

Photography Tips

Photograph perched birds to capture the distinctive red shoulders that give this species its name. The long tail with narrow white bars and reddish chest are key field marks worth highlighting. Look for the bright yellow legs, which stand out against darker plumage. When photographing in flight, capture the bird's characteristic flapping and gliding style, particularly during migration when they follow coastlines and ridge lines. The crescent-like wing markings visible on juveniles make compelling images and help with species identification. Wooded and suburban habitats with mixed forest provide the best opportunities, as birds tend to perch more openly in stands with reduced subcanopy density.