Red-shouldered Hawk

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a medium-sized raptor known for its striking rufous (orange-red) barring on the chest and distinctive translucent 'crescents' near the wingtips in flight. It has a wingspan of about 37-43 inches. In flight, their rapid wingbeats followed by short glides and their very loud 'kee-aah' call make them easily identifiable.

Highly diagnostic 'checkerboard' or barred pattern consisting of broad, dark brown to charcoal-grey bands alternating with crisp white to creamy-white bands. The rachis is dark where it crosses dark bands and lighter where it crosses white bands.

Mostly pennaceous and tightly interlocked for flight efficiency, with a small plumulaceous (downy) section at the base (superior umbilicus) for insulation.

The dorsal surface is smooth and slightly glossy to minimize air friction, while the ventral surface is more matte. The leading edge is stiff and resistant to fraying.

Distinctive high-contrast black/brown and white barring; rounded tip; lacks the terminal dark band typical of Red-tailed Hawk tails; size and width specific to Buteos.

Deciduous and mixed woodlands, often near water sources such as rivers, swamps, and marshes. They prefer areas with tall trees for nesting and open understories for hunting.

Year-round resident in the Eastern United States, California, and Mexico. Northern populations in the Great Lakes region and Northeast may migrate to the Southern US in winter.

An important apex predator that controls populations of small mammals, snakes, and frogs. They are indicators of healthy, mature forest ecosystems with available water.

Red-tailed Hawk (feathers are usually more mottled, less crisply barred); Broad-winged Hawk (smaller, fewer and broader white bands); Cooper's Hawk (longer, more tapered feathers with different grey/brown banding).

They are highly territorial and will return to the same nesting territory year after year. They are 'perch hunters,' often dropping down from a branch to capture amphibians, reptiles, or small mammals.

Good to Fair. There is some minor separation of the barbs near the base (fraying), likely from impact or natural wear before being molted. The colors remain vibrant with no significant sun-bleaching.