The Red-shouldered Hawk

Yesterday, mid-morning, I saw a large, broad-winged hawk soaring in a lazy circle above my yard. Due to its bulk and fan-shaped tail, I suspected it was a Buteo and quickly looked to the coloring of its tail to determine whether this was a Red-tailed or a Red-shouldered Hawk. (See my 2/11/09 entry on the Red-tailed Hawk). When the sun shines down upon an adult Red-tailed Hawk, you can easily see the glow of its ruddy tail. Yesterday was sunny, but this hawk’s tail did not glow red. I looked more closely to see if this was a juvenile Red-tail, which has a brown tail, striped horizontally with dark bars. No . . . this hawk had distinctly black bars separated by white.

I wanted to call it—Red-shouldered Hawk—even though from my vantage point below, I couldn’t see the reddish color of its upper wing coverts (its so-called “shoulders”). Yet, with my binoculars, I could easily see the wash of its reddish breast. As it turns out, I didn’t need my binoculars. The hawk began its loud, repetitive call, a sound described on the All About Birds Web site as “kee-aah.” And so I knew without a doubt: Red-shouldered Hawk.

To my ears, the Red-shouldered Hawk’s call is more insistent (a two-note screeching cry) than the Red-tailed Hawk whose call sounds like one raspy, elongated cry: “kree-eee-ar.” But you decide for yourself! Go to All About Birds and listen first to the Red-shouldered Hawk’s call. Next listen to the Red-tailed Hawk. You can easily hear the difference when you compare. But will you remember how to distinguish these calls next time you hear one high in the sky? It takes time, but you will!

Until next time . . . happy birding!

Georgia Anne