Red-shouldered Hawk

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a medium-sized forest raptor known for its distinctive reddish-brown barred underparts, checkered black-and-white wings, and piercing whistle calls. They are stocky birds with broad wings and a relatively long tail.

Striking horizontal barring of reddish-brown (rufous) and white, creating a classic check or bar pattern typical of the species' underparts.

Pennaceous upper portion with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels, transitioning into a plumulaceous (fluffy) downy base.

Central rachis is slender, flexible, and pale whitish-tan, with evenly spaced barbs extending outward at a moderate angle.

Smooth and soft in the pennaceous sections, becoming quite fluffy and downy near the base where it attached to the bird's skin.

Upper breast or flank covert, evidenced by the distinct banded pattern and semi-fluffy base.

Bold reddish-brown and white horizontal barring with a soft, rounded tip and a semi-downy base.

Deciduous and mixed forests, particularly near swamps, rivers, and bottomland hardwoods.

Eastern North America, along the Pacific coast of California, and parts of northeastern Mexico, generally year-round resident.

Acts as an apex avian predator helping to control populations of small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and large insects.

Broad-winged Hawk and Cooper's Hawk, though their underpart barring and coloration patterns differ significantly.

Red-shouldered Hawks are remarkably vocal and are frequently mimicked by Blue Jays. They exhibit high site fidelity, often returning to the same nesting territory year after year.

Historically used in indigenous ceremonies and traditional crafts. Feathers from raptors are strictly protected today.

Look near woodland streams, mature swamp forests, and beneath known nesting trees or perches, especially during the spring molting season.

Fair condition with some slight fraying along the edges and minor wear at the tips, but overall intact structure.