Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a common kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 3 countries, weighing about 604 g. The red-shouldered hawk is a medium-sized buteo.
About the Red-shouldered Hawk
The red-shouldered hawk is a medium-sized buteo. Its breeding range spans eastern North America and along the coast of California and northern to northeastern-central Mexico. It is a permanent resident throughout most of its range, though northern birds do migrate, mostly to central Mexico. The main conservation threat to the widespread species is deforestation.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Males are 38 to 58 cm (15 to 23 in) long and weigh on average 550 g (1.21 lb). Females are slightly larger at 47 to 61 cm (19 to 24 in) in length and a mean weight of 700 g (1.5 lb). The wingspan can range from 90 to 127 cm (35 to 50 in). Adult birds can vary in mass from 460 to 930 g (1.01 to 2.05 lb). Among standard measurements, the wing bone is 28–35 cm (11–14 in) long, the tail is 16–24 cm (6.3–9.4 in) long and the tarsus is 7.5–9 cm (3.0–3.5 in). Adults have brownish heads, reddish chests, and pale bellies with reddish bars.
What the Red-shouldered Hawk sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Red-shouldered Hawk can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Red-shouldered Hawk?
- Males are 38 to 58 cm (15 to 23 in) long and weigh on average 550 g (1.21 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Red-shouldered Hawk?
- The Red-shouldered Hawk is a large sized bird weighing about 604 g.
- Where can you see a Red-shouldered Hawk?
- The Red-shouldered Hawk occurs in 3 countries, including the United States, Canada and Mexico.
- What does a Red-shouldered Hawk sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Red-shouldered Hawk on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Red-shouldered Hawk?
- The Red-shouldered Hawk is most easily confused with the Common Buzzard, the Broad-winged Hawk and the Rough-legged Buzzard.
- Is the Red-shouldered Hawk endangered?
- The Red-shouldered Hawk is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Red-shouldered Hawk for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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