Bird · GBIF taxon 2480529
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatusAlso known as Red-shouldered Buzzard, Winter Hawk
Red-shouldered hawks command moist deciduous woodlands and wooded river valleys with loud, ringing kee-aah calls that echo through the canopy. These agile forest hunters drop from low perches to snatch frogs, snakes, and small rodents off the forest floor. Pairs form long-term bonds, returning year after year to rebuild massive stick nests in the main crotch of tall hardwood trees.
RaptorVocalWoodland
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mice and voles
- Frogs and toads
- Small snakes
Predators
- Great Horned Owl
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Bald Eagle
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, and secondary pesticide poisoning
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, river valleys, forested swamps, and suburban parks
Life span10–19 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAccipitriformes
- FamilyAccipitridae
- GenusButeo
- SpeciesButeo lineatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May defend nest sites aggressively if closely approached; observe nesting birds from a distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a black-and-white banded tail, reddish breast, and translucent pale wing crescents in flight.
- Support conservation
- Keep a respectful distance from active nests and use binoculars to avoid flushing incubating parents.
Responsible observation
- Listen for vocalizations: Listen for loud, repeated kee-aah calls echoing through deciduous river bottoms.
- Watch for flying displays: Look for soaring pairs performing sky-dancing courtship flights in early spring.
- Maintain nest distance: Keep clear of active stick nests in major tree crotches to avoid disturbing parents.
Competitor "Cooper's Hawk - immature" by Kaaren Perry is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Frequent Companion U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative Buteo_jamaicensis_1.jpg: Alan Vernon derivative work: Berichard (talk) / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative "Buteo platypterus / Gavilán aliancho / Broad-winged Hawk" by felixú is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
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Mystic Meadows
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