Red-shouldered Hawk

Raptor Resources Types of Birds Types of Hawks Types of Owls

Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus) inhabit forest areas of the Eastern the United States, with a small and separate West Coast population along the California coast.

As the top picture shows, typical red-shouldered hawk behavior consists of perching on tree branches or other tall fixtures and swooping down to catch prey such as small mammals and reptiles on the forest floor.

The picture also shows the hawk's characteristic long tail feathers.

Other than the northern most populations that migrate to Mexico during the winter, most other Red-shouldered hawks are year round residents of their established territory.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels