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 Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)

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Description: These hawks are relatively large, and their wings and tales are streaked black and white. The underside of this hawk is a reddish-brown color, and their wingtips are a paler color. They soar overhead, or perch on tall trees, hunting from above. 

Habitat: Hawks build their nests in tall trees, and live in forests where the ground is mostly open. They can also be found around flooded swamps. They are generally found in the eastern half of North America, year round. 

Diet: Red Shouldered Hawks eat small mammals, as well as birds and reptiles. They can spot their prey from many feet off the ground.

Behaviors:
  • Red Shouldered Hawks soar above the ground, searching for their prey. They are also known to hunt on the ground, hopping around looking for things to eat.
  • They are known to have rivalries with Great Horned Owls and Crows. 

Miscellaneous:                                                     
  • Red Shouldered Hawks are very vocal, and their calls sound like a cross between a squeak and a caw. 

Video: This is a short clip of a Red-shouldered Hawk perched in a tree surveying the surroundings.

Audio