Red-Tailed Hawk vs. Red-Shouldered Hawk: What's the Difference?

With 19 species of hawks in North America, it can sometimes be hard to determine which type is flying majestically overhead. Two of the most commonly confused birds are the red-tailed hawk and the red-shouldered hawk. Native to similar areas, with similar coloration, it can be easy to mistake one for the other. So, how do you tell them apart? Let’s take a look at the differences between red-tailed hawks and red-shouldered hawks.

Range

Both the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and the red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) can be found in North America, but the range of the red-shouldered hawk is much smaller than that of the red-tailed. The red-tailed hawk can be found throughout almost the entirety of the United States, Canada, and Central America. Their range extends from southern Alaska into central Mexico, the West Indies, and down into Nicaragua and Panama.

In comparison, the red-shouldered hawk’s range is more limited. Native to the eastern United States and Canada, the red-shouldered hawk can be found throughout the Midwest down into northeastern Mexico, and along the Pacific coast in California. So, if you see a hawk in the Rocky Mountains, southeast United States, or western Canada, chances are it is not a red-shouldered.

Now that we know where each type of bird can be found, let’s look at the physical differences between them.

Red-Tailed Hawk

Thanks to its adaptability and wide range, the red-tailed hawk is the most common hawk in North America. Chances are you’ve heard a red-tailed hawk making its trademark scream as they soar across the sky—or across the big screen. The shrill cry of a red-tailed hawk is used in cinema as the screech of eagles and hawks because it is more impressive and distinctive than the other birds’ calls.

Size

Smaller than only the ferruginous hawk, the red-tailed is the second-largest Buteo hawk in North America. Red-tailed hawks weigh 2-4 pounds and measure 18-26 inches long. Females are larger than males, and their impressive wingspan can span over 4 feet wide. Red-tailed hawks have rounded wings and short, wide tails.

Coloration

Red-tailed hawks have a rich brown back covered in banded feathers, with some white in the feathers of the lower back and wing coverts. While they are known for their trademark red tail, this coloration does not emerge until the bird molts into its adult plumage, usually at the start of their second year. Before this time, the hawk will have a brown tail, which can make it more difficult to identify.

Red-tailed hawks have pale stomachs and throats with dark wingtips and a belly band. They also have darker coloration at the ends of their flight feathers.

These colors vary by bird and by region. Western birds tend to be lighter morph in color, while dark-morph hawks are more commonly found in northwest Canada and Alaska. Hawks in the south often lack the dark belly band.

Where to Find Them

Red-tailed hawks are found in pretty much any open environment across North and Central America. They are commonly seen soaring over open fields, pastures, deserts, or interrupted woodlands. Red-tailed hawks are often sighted sitting silently atop fence posts, telephone poles, or other lofty perches along roadsides. This allows them to aerially survey the area for prey such as mice, voles, rabbits, or other small mammals that make up the majority of the hawk’s diet.

Red-tailed hawks also like to nest up high to ensure they have a good view of the surrounding area. Nests are often found atop tall trees, cliffsides, or even manmade structures like billboards.

Red-Shouldered Hawk

The red-shouldered hawk is a solitary and territorial bird. These hawks are diurnal and are most active and hunting during the day. A medium-sized hawk, the solitary red-shouldered is monogamous and comes together with the same partner every year.

Size

The red-shouldered hawk is smaller than its red-tailed counterpart. Like the red-tailed hawk, females are larger than males. Female red-shoulders measure 19-24 inches long, while males are typically 15-23 inches in length. On average, females weigh 1.5 pounds and males weigh 1.21 pounds. Wingspans can range from 3.1-2.5 feet. They have rounded wings and medium-length tails.

Coloration

The most distinctive feature of a red-shouldered hawk is its checkered wings. Their flight feathers have alternating white and brown stripes on both the top and underside. The underside of the tail has distinct dark and light alternating bands, unlike the solid color of the red-tailed hawk’s tail. Red-shouldered hawks have red and white barred chests that become more richly red towards the neck and shoulders.

Juveniles lack the bold red coloration of adults. Their chests and underbellies are predominantly white with some brown barring. The underside of their flight feathers does not have the distinct bands seen on adult birds.

Where to Find Them

Once a red-shouldered hawk occupies an area, they are likely to return. Red-shouldered hawks often return to the same nesting site each year. These hawks prefer wooded areas and are found primarily in areas with forests and tall trees that have open sub-canopies. They can also be found in residential areas that are wooded, provided prey (such as small mammals, amphibians, lizards, and snakes) is plentiful. They have also been known to snatch unsuspecting smaller birds such as doves, starlings, or sparrows.

Nests are typically found in the crotches of tree trunks. Unlike red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks generally nest below the canopy, and near a water source such as a lake or stream. They are most commonly seen perched 6-12 feet above the ground, lower than red-tailed hawks.

Summary of Differences Between Red-Tailed and Red-Shouldered Hawks

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