Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
(To view a larger picture click on picture)
© 2007 - Walter H Bauer
Field Marks: These birds
are about 19" inches tall. They are a relatively long-winged, long-tailed
buteo. Notice the tail on the Red-Shouldered Hawk that is taking flight.
No matter how old these birds are they usually show characteristic pale patch at
the base of primaries while in flight. These birds like to live in
woodland habitats and often near water. This pair has been residing in
Landa Park, New Braunfels, Texas for several years. Landa Park has a large
spring fed lake. They take a variety of prey such as small mammals,
snakes, and frogs.
Voice: They make up to four short,
down-slurred kee-yah notes. At a distance it is similar to that of
a Blue Jay. At times they make a long keeaarr, but less harsh
than that of a Red Tailed Hawk.
Where found:
These birds breed and winter in s. California and from the Great Plains, Quebec,
and New England south to the Gulf Coast.
Texas: Resident locally in e. half of the state. Occurs west but rarely in the Panhandle, Kerrville, Del Rio and south to the Rio Grande Delta.
Nest: This particular pair has been nesting in a
tall woodland tree in Landa Park, New Braunfels, Texas. Their nest is made
up of a platform of sticks. Their eggs are 2-4 and blotched.