Red Shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus

IDENTIFICATION: Red-shouldered hawks are often heard before they are seen, but be careful because their cries are sometimes imitated by blue jays. They are a medium sized hawk, usually shorter than two feet. Their wing span is typically between 3 and 4 feet. They have a reddish patch on each shoulder, but it is often difficult to see. Their backs are a combination of brown and black, with light colored under parts. Their tails are barred with black and white. Southern red-shouldered hawks are often lighter than those found up north.

RANGE AND HABITAT: These birds are typically found throughout the eastern half of the United States, as well as parts of California. They live year-round in the state of Florida, including the Keys. They prefer swamps, river bottoms, and other wet areas. They are rarely found in the same habitat with the larger red-tailed hawks.

REPRODUCTION: Red-shouldered hawks have an unusual courtship ritual. They will fly together and occasionally roll over on their backs. They can be seen flying upside down for short distances! They build their nests high in the trees during the winter or early spring, and often decorate their nests with various green plants. Females usually lay two eggs which hatch in about one month. Both the male and female will incubate the eggs. Usually the young will leave the nest before they are a month and a half old.

DIET: These hawks are not picky eaters! Just about any small mammal, reptile, large insect, and even birds can be part of their meal. They often use old nests as feeding platforms.

FUTURE: Red-shouldered hawks are fairly common birds of prey. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Act and it is illegal to harm them in any way, or have them as a pet without a permit.

Adoptee

This red-shouldered hawk has lived at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium since at least 1986.Unfortunately her records were lost, but we know she has some type of balance problem. She is able to fly, but often has a difficult time landing and walking on her perch. We refer to her as a female, but we are not positive of that fact. The only way to differ between male and female red-shouldered hawks is a surgical procedure. We think that it is a female because of her weight. Females generally weigh more than males in the bird of prey world.

She eats mice, rats and chicks.Her balance problem means she must be fed dead animals. We add vitamins to her food to make sure she gets all the proper nutrients. Once a month we catch her and weigh her to help make sure she is healthy.At this time we also trim her beak and talons to prevent them from becoming too overgrown.In the wild their beak and talons would be worn down naturally through hunting, feeding and perching; in captivity their steady supply of food causes them to grow faster.

This is a very vocal bird!She often cries loudly when people approach her cage... especially people she recognizes. There are also wild red-shouldered hawks on the property that she often "talks" to. She very rarely moves down from her favorite perch that sits quite high in the cage She has shared her cage with another hawk for several years, and they get along well.

You can visit your adopted hawk during regular Museum hours.