The hawk family is a significantly large one, and it’s not uncommon for bird watchers to mix up one species with another due to their many resemblances embedded in many dimensions.
Red-shouldered Hawk vs Red-tailed Hawk is one such initiative that aims at drawing out the many differences within these two birds.
You’d see that there are a handful of variances for the species at hand, ranging between their appearances, practices, preferences and even traits.
When only the pictures aren’t enough to identify one from the other out in the wild, these in-depth analysis will help you pick your raptor at a quick glance.
So why delay our learning when we can start scrolling right away into the matter!
Contents
Descriptions of Two Raptors: Red-tailed & Red-shouldered
Before we start discussing the varying qualities between these two hunting birds, we should start with their very basics first.
Red-Shouldered Hawk
Source: @kym_clark
- Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus
- Size: Male – 38 to 58 cm (15 to 23 in); Female – 47 to 61 cm (19 to 24 in)
- Locality: Eastern North America, northern to northeastern-central Mexico
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to July
Red-Shouldered Hawks are widely seen around the eastern coasts of North America with a special concentration around the region of Florida. It’s a bueto or ‘buzzard’ that’s regarded as a hawk among the New World species. This hunter is a very efficient raptor when it comes to tracking down its prey and swooping down for a confirmed hunt!
Red-Tailed Hawk
Source: @schugar_bear
- Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis
- Size: Male – 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 in); Female – 48 to 65 cm (19 to 26 in)
- Locality: North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March to May
Even though the name “chickenhawk” is associated with Red-tailed Hawk’s name, it rarely finds chickens delicious. This highly adaptive species of bird can live and roam around in almost every possible biome in North America, be that a desert or a riverside forest. The adaptive nature is not only seen in their habitat zone, but also in the alteration of hunting style across localities and based on hunts.
Red-Tailed vs Red-Shouldered Hawk: Recognition
If you’re planning on learning physical differences between these two species, this section might come in handy for you.
- Size: Both of these birds are medium-sized buenos, so there’s nothing to separate between them based on average length. However, sexual dimorphism is identified in these species, where the female birds are slightly larger than their male counterparts. Otherwise, trying to find variance of sizes between these two species is obsolete.
- Shape: When it comes to shape, there’s very little to read between these birds when they’re perched up. But at full flight, the differences become more apparent. Red-shouldered Hawk is more defined with its sharp wings and isolated tail feathered. As opposed to it, Red-tailed Hawk flaunts a more seamless shape with the wings and tail.
- Color: This is the major difference in physicality for the two species in concern. Their names are suggestive enough to tell you where to look for identification. Red-shouldered Hawk has a concentration of color around the shoulder, the root of the wings. It’s a shade of red that you can trace even when the bird is flying off over your head.
On the other hand, Red-tailed Hawk is identified by the redness of its tail. It’s actually a vibrant orange tone which seems scarlet under direct sunlight at a complete flight. Also, the wings are darker to look at because the other species show off a black and white pattern spreaded across the feathers.
Lastly, Red-tailed Hawk appears slightly bulkier than Red-shouldered Hawk and the former has a more steady flight than the latter. These are also key indicators that’ll help you in your identification process.
Red-Shouldered Hawk vs Red-Tailed Hawk: Major Differences
Apart from the visual differences, there are much more to investigate to make our identification a fruitful process. Because in terms of habit, history or symbolism – we are yet to know a lot about these flying raptors!
No. of Subspecies
Based on locality, shape, color and nature, these two birds have sprouted out some subspecies due to adaptation-related evolution and hybridization. While the Red-shouldered Hawk consists of only 5 subspecies under its umbrella, Red-tailed Hawk has gone on to include 14 subspecies under its broader B. jamaicensis species title.
Locality
Although their territories are mostly within North America, their behaviors have distinguished the local parts of the continent. Red-shouldered Hawk is the more conservative one when it comes to the extent. Their population is concentrated around the eastern coasts of North America, especially in California and Florida, which often spreads toward the northern-central parts of Mexico.
Red-tailed Hawk however shows a completely different approach in picking their local territory. As they can habitat at almost any sort of condition, these birds are found at almost every part of North America, starting from Alaska to the easternmost coast of the continent. Central America is also a locality of these species’ choice and even West Indies locals can witness them year round.
Habitat
Due to the high adaptability, there’s probably no place for Red-tailed Hawk habitat in North America where they don’t breed. From high altitude places to low, these birds mostly prefer woods with tall trees, their surrounding areas containing open fields or farmlands. Urban or suburban territories with trees can often host Red-tailed Hawks for permanent residence.
Red-shouldered Hawks are mostly found around wooden localities, but not deep inside forests. Rather areas that have swamplands or an opening inside woods rank as their favorites. It allows them to perch and track their prey before making a successful hunt.
Source: @windwolvespreserve
Nesting
Nesting seems like an issue that Red-shouldered Hawks aren’t much bothered about. They pick a really tall tree and place a nest crafted with twigs or tree barks. These nests are even re-used the following years, repaired or upgraded using similar materials for making them sturdy.
Red-tailed Hawks are more conservative with their nesting. These nests can be planted on tall trees, urban settlements or even mountain cliffs. Usual materials for these nests are twigs, barks, corn cobs, pineapple spikes etc. While such nests are used only once, plant linings mark for other birds that the current nest is being used for incubation as a ‘do not disturb’ sign.
Source: @photosbybrynda
Incubation
These two species display different natures during the incubation period despite some minor similarities. The only common factor between the two is that their males are the food gatherer who supply most of the nutrition for the incubating female and younglings.
But the discrepancy lies in the male’s incubating and brooding occasionally – which is common in Red-shouldered Hawks but absent from Red-tailed Hawk’s practises.
Falconry
Red-tailed Hawks have a unique nature of being tamed by humans. Since this species doesn’t catch diseases very easily and has significantly low maintenance, it’s ideal for falconry. Although it’s strictly regulated across the US, the practice is still going on with less than 5,000 individuals in these cultures. On the other hand, Red-shouldered Hawks can’t be brought into falconry in any way.
Source: @joiinn_sev
Symbolism in Cultures
Bird feathers often contain some symbolic meaning in different cultures or social contexts. On the same note, Red-tailed Hawk feathers are considered sacred and holy in different indigenous cultures. Out of them, the Native American practices stand out because of such feather inclusion in their religious rituals and ceremonies. The other species invoke no such implication.
Migration
Out of the two, Red-tailed Hawks are more migratory than the other, classifying it under partially migratory birds of the USA. This custom is seen mostly in the northern birds who flee the area during winter, while the eastern birds firmly settle in their localities.
Red-shouldered Hawks tend not to move at any season from their natural habitat. Only recorded instances are slight movement toward the northern parts of central Mexico. Even when they do show a will for migrating, that’s usually done alone, or in small flocks on rare occasions.
Availability
Red-tailed Hawks are very common across parts of the USA, Canada and Mexico due to their ability to survive at almost any location. There’s a higher chance of running into this species of hawks than a Red-shouldered Hawk. Because the latter species lives only in particular spots and are currently in decline due to loss of forest areas.
Vocalization
From the two species, Red-tailed Hawks are more vocal and loud in contrast with the Red-shouldered Hawks. The Red-tailed groups can be heard from a distance due to their sharp, high pitched and hoarse voice. Most of their vocalizations are made during hunting, frustration or anger.
Red-Shouldered Hawks have a more strong meowing sound associated with them. Short callings are frequently vibrated from their vocal cords relentlessly. But the lower pitch, toned down voice and difference of vocabulary should make the distinction easy for you!
For your reference, their callings can be heard right here with the play buttons.
Red-Shouldered Hawk Sound
Red-Tailed Hawk Sound
Similarities between Red-Tailed & Red-Shouldered Hawk
Since these two birds belong to the same genera, they’re bound to share some form of similarities among them. These are important to know so that you don’t find yourself confused while distinguishing the two species.
Source: @thenatureplug23
Diet
Many people assume that hawks eat rabbits. Even though the answer isn’t a straightforward one, both of these birds are known to have feasted on the animal at certain times. Otherwise, these are two carnivorous species, masters of hunting and storing their food for future uses.
Within their diet system, small reptiles to medium-sized mammals – they all fall into different categories. If the weight isn’t a problem for these birds to carry, they’d consider hunting down that animal. Rodents, lizards, smaller birds, rabbits, squirrels, mice and similar animals often contribute to the dinner table for these two hawks.
Taxonomy
Both the Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk have been introduced to Carl Linneas’ Systema Naturae by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin back in 1788. The former drew description from its local title “barred-breasted buzzard” and the latter as “cream-coloured buzzard”. So you can understand that their formal identification has been conducted almost simultaneously.
Source: @sasalin_photography
Mating Ritual
Each of these species shows somewhat similar rituals during their mating season. Their ‘sky dance’ caters to both of them and creates a bond between the male and female birds. For Red-tailed Hawks, mating rituals usually involve soaring around each other in mid air, touching of wings or legs, or flying parallelly in full speed. Red-shouldered Hawks create a steep dive from high up in the air.
In the following table, you’ll find a summarized version of Red-tailed Hawk vs Red-shouldered Hawk discussion for your comfortable comprehension.
| Category | Red-Shouldered Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Size | Leaner | Bulkier |
| Color | Golden with red wing-roots | Dark brown with red tails |
| Flight Feather | Sharp with black-white patterns | More compact and seamless |
| No. of Subspecies | 5 | 14 |
| Locality | Eastern North America | Almost anywhere in North America |
| Nesting | Reuse nests | One time to alternate use |
| Availability | Between common & uncommon | Very common |
| Falconry | No | Yes |
| Symbolic Meaning | None found | In indigenous cultures |
| Migration | Locally migrant | Partial migrant |
FAQ
This section drags the discussion of Red-shouldered Hawk vs Red-tailed Hawk a little ahead by addressing some relevant questions to render your knowledge more complete.
Q: Is there any connection between Red-shouldered Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk?
Ans: While Cooper’s Hawk is often misrecognized with Red-tailed Hawk, there’s no direct connection with Red-shouldered Hawk for this species, apart from the fact that they’re both hawks.
Q: Who is faster in a Red-shouldered Hawk vs Red-tailed Hawk race?
Ans: As Red-shouldered Hawks have a flight speed between 18-34 mph, Red-tailed Hawks can fly between 20-40 mph. So out of the two, Red-tailed Hawks are slightly faster and would win the race.
Thoughts
Our Red-shouldered Hawk vs Red-tailed Hawk discussion isn’t only essential to learn their key differences, because it carries a multifaceted outcome for bird lovers in general.
It’s an educational journey through to the bottom of these birds’ habits and learning one with holding the other as the benchmark renders our information collection more sustainable.
You’ve learned how loss of forestry is hurting one of the species and if it’s traced in your locality, you’ll know better now to help them out by supporting the acts that protect them.
I believe we have the ability to do more than just to identify or take pictures for our Instagram profiles for these species.
We have the power to protect them and ensure a flourishing habitat – only if we’re willing enough!
Similar Post:
- Golden Eagle vs Bald Eagle: A Majestic Showdown
- Hawk vs Eagle vs Falcon: A Complete Guide To Differences and Similarities
- Hawk vs Vulture: Glide Through The Mysterious World Of Accipitriformes!
Audio Credits: xeno-canto, wikimedia
