THE COMPLETE RED-SHOULDERED HAWK HANDBOOK

Introduction to the Red-Shouldered Hawk
Overview and Natural History
The red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a medium-sized bird of prey native to North America. It is recognized for its striking reddish-brown shoulders, strongly patterned wings and tail, and distinctive black-and-white barring. Unlike some hawks that favor open grasslands, the red-shouldered hawk is closely associated with forests, wooded wetlands, river corridors, and areas containing mature trees.
An adaptable predator, the red-shouldered hawk plays an important role in controlling populations of small animals. It hunts mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and large insects, often waiting quietly on a perch before making a sudden attack. Its characteristic, repeated calls can be heard in many forested landscapes, particularly during the breeding season.
Historically, red-shouldered hawks occupied extensive areas of eastern and western North America. Changes in forests, agriculture, urban development, and other human activities have influenced their distribution and abundance. However, conservation measures and the protection of suitable woodland habitat have helped the species persist in many regions.
Scientific Classification
The red-shouldered hawk belongs to the family Accipitridae, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, and related birds of prey.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Accipitriformes
• Family: Accipitridae
• Genus: Buteo
• Species: Buteo lineatus

Several recognized geographic forms occur across its range. Differences among populations can include coloration, size, habitat preferences, and geographic distribution.
Physical Characteristics
The red-shouldered hawk has a relatively compact, broad-winged body designed for maneuvering through wooded environments. Adults generally have reddish-brown coloration across the shoulders and breast, while the wings show contrasting dark and light patterns.
One of its most recognizable features is its strongly banded tail, which typically displays alternating dark and pale bands. The underside of the wings can also show distinctive reddish and pale markings.
Juveniles differ considerably from adults. Young birds are generally browner and less richly colored, with streaked rather than strongly barred underparts. Their plumage gradually changes as they mature.
Females are generally somewhat larger than males, as is common among many birds of prey. Both sexes, however, share the characteristic markings that make the species identifiable in the field.