Red-Shouldered Hawk Bird

1. Bird Name
The Red-shouldered Hawk, known scientifically as Buteo lineatus.

2. Appearance
The Red-shouldered Hawk is iconic for its reddish-brown shoulder patches hence the name. Its rich, russet-brown body is contrasted by a tail and flight feathers that showcase a black and white checkerboard pattern. Adult Red-shouldered Hawks also flaunt a crescent-shaped white patch on the upper, outer part of their wings which are more prominent during flight. Their beaks are curved and hooked, tinted with a yellowish hue. The hawk’s eyes are dark brown. Both males and females share the same coloration and markings, with females only being slightly larger than males.

3. Size
On average, red-shouldered hawks can reach lengths from 43 to 61 cm (17 – 24 inches). Their wingspan ranges from somewhere between 96 and 107 cm (38 – 42 inches). Adult Red-shouldered Hawks are typically weigh around 550 – 700 g (19.4 – 24.7 oz).

4. Habitat & Distribution
Red-shouldered Hawks are distributed across North America and are commonly found in the Eastern United States, California, and northeastern-central Mexico. They prefer living in mature deciduous woodlands and mixed deciduous-conifer forests near rivers or swamps.

5. Interesting Facts
An interesting fact about Red-shouldered Hawks is their ability to maintain territories for prolonged periods. The same mated pair can often be observed occupying the same territory for multiple years. Furthermore, these birds often engage in vocal displays, especially during the spring courtship period. Lastly, Red-shouldered hawks are often harried and chased away by smaller birds, revealing their non-aggressive nature.

6. Diet
The diet of these hawks consists primarily of small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and even birds. Frogs and mice are staple meals, but they also eat insects and on occasion, crayfish and earthworms.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Red-shouldered Hawks are known for their distinct loud, ringing call ‘kee-aah.’ This hawk commonly uses a series of vocalizations to communicate with its partner, especially during courtship rituals and territorial displays. Despite their larger size, they rarely resort to fighting off other birds intruding their space, often retreating instead.

8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Red-shouldered Hawk is listed as a species of Least Concern, mostly due to their wide distribution and stable population.

9. Lifespan
In the wild, the Red-shouldered Hawk can live up to 20 years, but in captivity, they have been reported to live well into their late twenties.

10. Additional Notes
Locally, in Spanish, the Red-shouldered Hawk is often referred to as Aguililla Hombros Rojos signifying its red shoulders. These hawks play a crucial role in controlling the population of smaller pests in their ecosystem. They are generally shy around humans and prefer to keep their distance. However, they have adapted well to suburban environments where they continue to play a vital role in controlling pests.