Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus

The Red-shouldered Hawk, a hawk of forests and woodlands, is just a casual  visitor to South Dakota.  Several different color phases exist, but all mature birds have the characteristics listed in the ID Keys above.  Given the forest habitat in which they are found, the noisy call of the Red-shouldered Hawk is often heard before the bird is seen.

Habitat: During nesting season, they are found in deciduous and mixed forests, usually in areas with large trees and open understories.  They can be found in more open habitats during the winter.

Diet: Diet varies with location and season, and may include small mammals, frogs, snakes, lizards, large insects, crayfish, and sometimes fish or birds.

Behavior: Hunts from a perch, swooping out to catch prey that comes within range.  Males perform flight displays in courtship, flying upward and calling, then diving back down towards the female.  Courting pairs can also often be seen soaring together in circles and calling to each other.

Breeding: Non-breeder in South Dakota

Song: Red-shouldered Hawk song

Migration: Primarily a permanent resident, but birds at the northern end of its range move small distances south in the fall.

Similar Species: Broad-winged Hawk

Conservation Status: Generally stable at the current time, but is at a reduced population and range than at historical levels. 

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Red-shouldered Hawk

2) Cornell University's 'All About Birds' - Red-shouldered Hawk

3) eNature.com: Red-shouldered Hawk

Photo Information: Out-of-state Photo -- Ronnie Gaubert -- 2004