Fun Red-shouldered Hawk Facts For Kids

The red-shouldered hawk belongs to the Accipitridae family. The scientific name for red-shouldered hawks is Buteo lineatus. These are birds of North America, living in their breeding range which spans from eastern North America along the Californian coast to northeastern Mexico.        

This species of Florida birds tend to live in mature deciduous, mixed deciduous-conifer forests as well as swamps. Hunting is easier where there is an open sub-canopy.

They usually make their nest 6-15 m (20-60 ft) above ground in wet woodland areas in branches of the deciduous trees. They usually prefer areas that allow them to perch high up and see the forest floor clearly.

They receive their name from their appearance with red shoulders. They are large, broad-winged, with heavy bodies and long tails. A female red-shouldered hawk is usually larger than a male and adults have a brown head, reddish underparts, dark brown streaks, and a dark brown back.

Read on to know more red-shouldered hawk facts for kids. For more interesting animals facts, check out white hawk facts and bat hawk facts.

Red-Shouldered Hawk Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a red-shouldered hawk?

The red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus,belongs to the species of hawks.

What class of animal does a red-shouldered hawk belong to?

These stunning North American birds belong to the class of Aves within the animal kingdom. They are from the Accipitridae family and Buteo genus. The scientific name for red-shouldered hawks is Buteo lineatus.  

How many red-shouldered hawks are there in the world?

According to Partners in Flight estimates, the global breeding population of red-shouldered hawks is 1.1 million. Their population is significant enough for these birds to be given the conservation status of Least Concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

Where does a red-shouldered hawk live?

The red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus,is mainly found in North America, living in their breeding range which spans from eastern North America along the Californian coast as well as northern to northeastern-central Mexico. The species of red-shouldered hawks have their habitat range in the mature deciduous, mixed deciduous-conifer forests as well as swamps.          

What is a red-shouldered hawk's habitat?

This species of red-shouldered hawks have their habitat range in mature deciduous, mixed deciduous-conifer forests as well as swamps. Hunting is easier where there is an open sub-canopy.

They usually make their nest 20-60 ft (6-15 m) above ground in wet woodland areas in branches of the deciduous trees. They usually prefer areas that allow them to perch high up and see the forest floor clearly.

The red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus,is mainly found in North America, living in their breeding range which spans from eastern North America along the Californian coast as well as northern to northeastern-central Mexico.  

Who do red-shouldered hawks live with?

Red-shouldered hawks are solitary birds and extremely territorial. They don't form flocks, even during the winter season.

How long does a red-shouldered hawk live?

While red-shouldered hawks have been reported to live for up to 20 years in the wild, few survive in the wild beyond two and a half years.

How do they reproduce?

These birds breed once yearly and are monogamous in nature. Mating rituals include the 'sky dance' of males, where they soar in flight high in the air while calling and then make several deep dives towards the female until finally perching upon the female's back. These displays usually happen in the late morning or early afternoon.

The breeding season is between April and July, with the same nest being used each year. Refurbishing of the nest with twigs, leaves, bark, and sticks is done in spring by males and females.

Females usually lay two to five eggs in the nest over two to three days. The nesting period is 42-49 days while the incubation period is usually 33 days.

The hatched nestlings are brooded by the mother for a week, during which time, the male brings food for the nest. The nestling stage lasts for six weeks.

While chicks leave the nest at six weeks of age, they are still given food by the parents for another 8-10 weeks. They become independent at 17-19 weeks old. Red-shouldered hawks achieve sexual maturity by the time they turn one year old.

What is their conservation status?

The global population of red-shouldered hawks is significant enough for these birds to be given the conservation status of Least Concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

However, the population of these birds is threatened by hunting, the clearing of forest areas, and the use of industrial pollutants. Human activities such as logging, use of pesticides, especially DDT, and climbing of nest trees have resulted in declining numbers of red-shouldered hawks.  

While red-shouldered hawks are becoming rarer, the population of these birds has adapted quite well to open habitats in Florida and California.

Red-Shouldered Hawk Fun Facts

What do red-shouldered hawks look like?

Red-shouldered hawks are large, broad-winged, with heavy bodies, long tails, and, as the name suggests, red shoulders. A female red-shouldered hawk is usually larger than a male and adults have a brown head, reddish underparts, dark brown streaks, and a dark brown back.

A juvenile red-shouldered hawk has creamy underparts, dark brown spots, and streaks. Adults and red-shouldered hawk juvenile birds have a dark brown tail with white bands.

An adult female is larger than a male, measuring 19-24 in (47-61 cm) and weighing 1.5 lb (700 g). An adult male typically measures 15-23 in (38-58 cm) and weighs 1.21 lb (550 g).

How cute are they?

While fledglings may be cute, an adult red-shouldered hawk is more regal than cute.

How do they communicate?

The red-shouldered hawk call has earned it the title of the most vocal of all American hawks. They communicate through vocalizations and physical displays like courtship flight.

Their call is a monotonous 'kee-aah' call that can be heard from miles away. They use this when they feel alarmed or need to signal that a territory is occupied. They also produce whistling sounds.

How big is a red-shouldered hawk?

An adult female bird is larger than a male, measuring  19-24 in (47-61 cm). An adult male bird typically measures in the range of 15-23 in (38-58 cm).

How fast can a red-shouldered hawk fly?

Red-shouldered hawks are swift in flight, flying at a speed that ranges between 18-34 mph (30- 54.7 kph).

How much does a red-shouldered hawk weigh?

An adult female bird is larger than a male, weighing 1.5 lb (700 g). An adult male bird typically weighs 1.21 lb (550 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

A male red-shouldered hawk is called a tiercel while a female is called a hen.

What would you call a baby red-shouldered hawk?

A baby red-shouldered hawk is called a fledgling or a chick.

What do they eat?

Their food primarily consists of small mammals. They prey on rabbits, squirrels, toads, snakes, frogs, lizards, large insects, and small birds. In some places, they also prey on crayfish.

They rely on sight and sound to hunt prey. Their broad wings allow them to soar easily and sharp eyesight makes it easy for them to spot prey from great distances. They sometimes cache their food to their nest to eat later.

Are they dangerous?

These birds can be aggressive if they perceive a threat to their nests and may also attack crows, Great Horned owls, and humans. However, they rarely attack without provocation if they don't perceive a threat.  

Would they make a good pet?

No, these wild birds are not meant to be pets.

Did you know...

Red-shouldered hawks sometimes compete for territory with large birds like golden eagles, the red-tailed hawk, great horned owls, and barred owls.

Red-shouldered hawk nestlings are preyed upon by raccoons and great horned owls.

The red-shouldered hawk's call

The red-shouldered hawk call has earned it the title of the most vocal of all American hawks. They communicate through vocalizations and physical displays like courtship flight.

Their call is a monotonous 'kee-aah' call that can be heard from miles away. They use this when they feel alarmed or need to signal that a territory is occupied. They also produce whistling sounds.

The symbolism of the red-shouldered hawk

Spotting a red-shouldered hawk signals intense energy in your life. It is believed to reflect physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual forces. The symbolism associated with seeing one is that it is likely to be a catalyst and give rise to new ideas and hope in your life.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our great black hawk facts and prairie falcon facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable red-shouldered hawk coloring pages.