Birds of Arlington - Red-shouldered Hawk

Birds of Arlington

Red-shouldered Hawk

(Buteo lineatus)

Adult

Present: Year Round

Visual Identification

Where and When to see them

Visual Identification

Red-Shouldered Hawks are true to their name, they possess “red” (rust orange) “shoulders” (wing coverts). Better identification clues are the black and white stripes on their wings and tail and the rusty streaking on their breast. The light brown head that contrasts with the breast and fuses with the body is also a very good clue. One can be almost sure of a Red-shouldered ID when one is flying overhead because the base of their primaries are more translucent than the rest of their wings. They also have yellow legs and a yellow beak with a black tip.

Voice

Red-Shouldered hawks are very vocal, producing loud kee-yer! calls, sometimes in different frequencies.

Habitat

Red-Shouldered Hawks spend most of their time in forest edge, forest, and open habitats. This includes forest edge (both dry and wet), streamside forest, mature forest, open forest, willow thickets, swamps, ponds, suburbia, and open fields with several trees/snags.

Behavior

Red-Shouldered Hawks have a tendency to vocalize themselves a lot. They are the most vocal raptor in our area. They usually announce themselves when perching or in flight, but do not call when they come to a nest to feed their chicks. They will build large nests made of leaves and twigs high up in large, stable trees. They usually lay 2-3 eggs. They commonly feed on snakes.

Red-shouldered Hawk perching with snake in talons.

Comparisons

Red-tailed Hawk

One might confuse our two common hawk species, but note that Red-Tailed Hawks have a brown band going along their breast and also have a dark brown head. Adults have red tails with one small, subtle stripe at the end. Red-shouldered Hawks have none of these features.

Where and When to see them

They are most common at Long Branch Park. They are uncommon at Glencarlyn Park, Bluemont Park, and Lubber Run Park. A pair has nested at Long Branch park.

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