Dawn Chorus Birdblog: B. lineatus
Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:02:24 AM PDT
It was just about a year ago that I left lurkerdom and joined in the fun here, adopting the handle of "lineatus". Today, I'd like to introduce you to my namesake, Buteo lineatus - aka Red-shouldered Hawk.
Adult Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus
I like red shoulders for a number of reasons. Here in the city of San Francisco, they may be the most abundant local hawk. They nest in parklands throughout the city, having adapted very well to (introduced) eucalyptus trees. As many as 8 pairs may nest in Golden Gate Park in any given year, an incredible breeding density. I love the fact that they're much more vocal than most hawks, which helps when you're trying to find them. I have had them hanging out in my backyard regularly, and they spend a lot of time in the trees across the street. Most of all, though, I like them because they're just so darn good looking. (Our western subspecies is Buteo lineatus elegans.)
Red-shoulders are woodlands hawks, ranging over most of the US east of the Mississippi and along the west coast; they are absent or uncommon in the interior west, Rockies and Great Plains. Florida birds have the lightest coloration and western birds have the deepest color. (All of the photos here are of western redshoulders).
They are medium-large sized hawks, a bit smaller than redtails, most weighing between 500-700 grams (females are larger than males, as with most hawks), with a wingspan just over three feet. Adult redshoulders are striking birds, with rufous (rusty) breasts and shoulder patches; their strongly patterned black and white tails and flight feathers give them a "checkered" appearance when perched. In flight, a distinctive pale crescent can be seen in the other wings. Juveniles are mostly brown, heavily streaked on the breast and belly and their tail stripes are dark brown instead of black. Their red shoulder patches are not as bright and can sometimes be hard to see on perched birds.
As woodlands hawks, 'shoulders are built a little differently from redtails and other buteos that do more soaring as they hunt. Red shoulders still have fairly broad wings which help with soaring, but their wings are shorter and their tails a bit longer so they're more maneuverable flying among trees.
Red-shouldered hawks associated with deciduous or mixed deciduous/coniferous woodlands, and that habitat is in decline in many areas - and the redshoulders decline with it. (They're doing okay in my area, having adapted to introduced species like eucalyptus.) They take a wide variety of prey - mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (like crayfish) - hunting from perches or from the air, dropping down to grab their meal.
Red-shoulder pair, Pine Lake Park, San Francisco
They breed once per year, typically laying a clutch of 3-4 eggs, which are incubated for 33 days. After hatching, it's approximately six weeks until they fledge, with the last few days of that period spent taking short hops around their tree, aka "branching". Once they've fledged, they are fed by the adults for 8-10 weeks while they are being taught to hunt.
Some (many?) populations of red-shoulders are non-migratory, although there is still some movement in the fall as young birds are kicked out of their parents' territories. Some populations do migrate into Mexico.
So that's my namesake. I've noticed a few other bird names here - how about sharing the story of yours?
