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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Red-shouldered Hawk

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Name

Red-shouldered Hawk

Scientific Name

(Buteo lineatus)

Why they are special:
  • One of the most common raptors in Florida, known for their loud, ringing “kee-yer” calls that echo through woodlands.

  • Strikingly patterned with reddish barring and bold black-and-white wing markings.

  • At Felts, they are often seen perched on snags in the pasture or woodland edges, scanning for prey.
Size and color:
  • A medium-sized hawk, about 17–24 inches long with a wingspan of 37–43 inches.

  • Rich reddish-orange barring across the breast and belly.

  • Dark brown back with pale spots, and distinctive black-and-white checkered wings.

  • Tail is black with narrow white bands.
Seasonality in Florida:
  • Year-round resident and breeder throughout Florida.

  • Commonly seen at Felts in all seasons.
Habitat:
  • Prefer wet forests, swamps, and wooded edges near water.

  • At Felts, they use snags and open perches in the pasture to hunt.
Diet:
  • Opportunistic hunters feeding on small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and large insects.

  • In Florida, often prey on frogs and snakes in wet areas.
Behavior:
  • Frequently seen perched in plain view on snags, fence posts, or along woodland edges.

  • Use soaring flights and piercing calls to establish territory.

  • Loyal to territories and often return to the same nesting sites year after year.
Conservation notes:
  • Populations are stable and thriving in Florida, thanks to plentiful wetlands and forests.

  • Protected by law from hunting or disturbance.
Best time to see:
  • Year-round, especially perched on open snags in the morning or calling from treetops.
Fun Fact:
  • Red-shouldered Hawks often team up with crows when mobbing larger raptors, an unusual alliance in the bird world!
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