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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus ORDER: ACCIPITRIFORMES FAMILY: ACCIPITRIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Red-shouldered Hawk Photo

A common forest-dwelling hawk of the East and California, the Red-shouldered Hawk favors woodlands near water. It is perhaps the most vocal American hawk.

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Appearance

Hawks
Hawks
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized to large hawk.
  • Wings and tail striped black and white.
  • Underparts barred reddish.
  • Pale crescent near wingtips in flight.

Immature Description

Juvenile in East streaked brown and white on underside, brown above, tail with dark and light brown bands, wing crescent tawny. Juvenile in West similar to adult, with more barring than streaking on underside and distinct tail banding.

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Red-shouldered Hawk Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult eastern form

    Red-shouldered Hawk

    Adult eastern form
    • © Marie Read
  • Adult pale Florida form

    Red-shouldered Hawk

    Adult pale Florida form
    • © Mike Danzenbaker
  • Immature

    Red-shouldered Hawk

    Immature
    • © Kevin T. Karlson

Similar Species

  • Broad-winged Hawk has one broad white band on tail, and is all pale under wings contrasting with dark outline.