As I walk my dog through our neighborhood, I love capturing photos of the wildlife that usually drives him crazy. Fortunately, this Red-shouldered Hawk took off out of his sight near the Waynesburg Raiders football stadium.
Red-shouldered Hawks may look calm and majestic, but these birds have amazing abilities. These medium-sized hawks are excellent hunters and can spot prey from high above the forest. Their sharp eyesight allows them to locate small animals such as mice, frogs, snakes, and even other small birds.
Unlike the more familiar red-tailed hawk, which is comfortable hunting open fields, red-shouldered hawks strongly favor mature forests and wooded streams. However, they aren’t afraid of people. Although they’re primarily woodland birds, red-shouldered hawks have increasingly been documented using suburban areas around houses and buildings.
Their call is another incredible feature. The loud, repeated “kee-yer” sound can travel through the woods and is often heard long before the bird is spotted. During breeding season, these calls can become especially frequent as hawks communicate with their mates and defend their territory.
Red-shouldered Hawks are also surprisingly loyal to their homes. Pairs may return to the same territory year after year and can reuse nesting areas. Their nests are usually built high in mature trees, providing protection for their eggs and young.
These beautiful birds usually lay between 3–4 eggs. Both parents play important roles in raising their babies. The young leave the nest at approximately 5–7 weeks old, however, their parents continue to feed and teach them how to hunt for several more weeks before they become fully independent.
Interestingly, despite habitat concerns, the red-shouldered hawk populations have increased by more than 2% annually across most of their range from 1966–2019.
They also live surprisingly long lives. In the wild, a Red-shouldered Hawk can live more than 10 years, and some have reached 20 years or more.
