Red-shouldered hawk
The Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a common mid-sized hawk native to Eastern North America and the Pacific coast that preys on rodents and other small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and large insects. They favor mature forests with open sub-canopies, but also hunt successfully in urban and suburban habitats. They favor the same prey and grounds as barred owls.
Adult red-shouldered hawks are 15 to 19 inches long with a wingspan of 37 to 42 inches. They can be mistaken for the smaller broadwing hawks and larger red-tailed hawks. They are named for the their richly rufous upperwing coverts colorfully streaked neck and chest. In flight the white streaks on their tails form readily-visible crescents like a broadwing hawk, but thinner and more numerous. Unlike broadwings, red-shouldered hawks also show white streaks in the secondary feathers of their wings in flight.
Red-shouldered hawk's are among the noisiest raptors, repeating their "kee-ahh" call in bursts of 8-10. Blue jays can imitate their call to intimidate other birds. Breeding pairs are active in late spring and early summer, building are refurbishing their stick nests in tree forks. The females lay clutches of 3-4 blotchy pale brown or lavender eggs which require about a month to incubate. The female stays with the brood for about six weeks, supported with prey brought by the male. The offspring remain dependent on their parents for another 12-14 weeks after first leaving the nest and are vulnerable to starvation or predation if separated. Great horned owls are known to raid vulnerable nests or isolated young hawks.
Historically red-shouldered hawks have been among the most common raptors, but the species has been pressured by habitat loss, hunting, and insecticides. The legal protection of migratory birds and the banning of DDT have allowed numbers to stabilize and the species is classified as "of least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Generally mature red-shouldered hawks can expect to live to about 10 years, though individual banded specimens have attained more than twice that age.
References
- Wilson, Jim and Anselm Atkins (2002) Common Birds of Birmingham 2nd edition. Decatur, Georgia: Hexagon Publishers ISBN 096672402X
- "Red-shouldered hawk" (May 8, 2018) Wikipedia- accessed May 25, 2018