Species Comparisons • Backyard Identification
Red-shouldered Hawk vs Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk • Wikimedia Commons
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk • Wikimedia Commons
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk • Wikimedia Commons
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk • Wikimedia Commons
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk • Wikimedia Commons
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk • Wikimedia Commons
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk • Wikimedia Commons
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk • Wikimedia Commons
Red-shouldered Hawk vs Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo lineatus vs Buteo jamaicensis): The Complete Backyard Identification Guide
Field Summary
Quick Answer: The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart
The two “red” hawks. Three rules:
- Adult tail: brick-red above = Red-tailed; narrow black-and-white bands = Red-shouldered.
- Breast: rusty barring all over = Red-shouldered; pale chest with a dark belly band = Red-tailed.
- Habitat: wet woods and river forest = Red-shouldered; open fields and roadside poles = Red-tailed.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
The woodland hawk and the open-country hawk, side by side. KEY rows separate fastest.
| Feature | Red-shouldered Hawk | Red-tailed Hawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Buteo lineatus | Buteo jamaicensis |
| Length | 17–24 in (43–61 cm) | 18–26 in (45–65 cm) |
| Wingspan | 37–43.7 in (94–111 cm) | 43–57 in (110–141 cm) |
| Weight | 17–27 oz (486–774 g) | 1.5–3.5 lb (0.7–1.6 kg) |
| Overall Shape | A slim, long-tailed woodland buteo — the noisy hawk of eastern river forest | The big, broad-winged hawk of roadside poles and open sky — the default buteo |
| Male Plumage KEY | Rusty-barred breast and shoulders, black-and-white checkered wings, narrowly banded black-and-white tail (sexes alike) | Brown above, pale chest, dark belly band; brick-red tail above (adult) (sexes alike) |
| Female Plumage | Identical, larger | Identical, noticeably larger |
| Bill Shape | Small, hooked, dark with a yellow cere | Hooked, dark with yellow cere and legs |
| Tail | Long, with narrow white bands — a woodland tail | Broad, brick-red above in adults; banded gray-brown in juveniles |
| Core Range KEY | Eastern woodlands near water, and a separate population along the California coast | All of North America — open country, farmland, highways and city parks |
| Migration | Northern birds migrate; southern and California birds are resident | Northern birds migrate; most of the US has resident birds |
| Feeder Presence | Does not use feeders — but hunts rodents and frogs in wooded yards | Does not use feeders — hunts the rodents your yard attracts |
| Favorite Foods | Small mammals, frogs, snakes, crayfish, occasional birds | Rodents, rabbits, snakes, carrion |
| Song | No song; the call is famous | No song |
| Flight Call KEY | A loud, repeated “kee-aah, kee-aah” — the most imitated hawk call (by Blue Jays) | A hoarse, descending scream — “keeeer” — the movie sound of every raptor |
| Population Trend | Stable and adapting to suburbs with mature trees | Thriving — one of the most common and adaptable raptors on the continent |
Male Field Marks, Side by Side
Red-shouldered Hawk — Male
Buteo lineatus
- Rusty breast and shoulders, checkered wings, banded tail.
- Loud “kee-aah” calls from wet woods.
- Hunts from low perches over wet ground.
Red-tailed Hawk — Male
Buteo jamaicensis
- Broad wings, pale chest, dark belly band, red tail.
- Soars in wide circles on outstretched wings.
- The pole-sitter along every highway.
Female & Juvenile Marks, Side by Side
Red-shouldered Hawk — Female
Buteo lineatus
- Identical, larger.
- Nests in a stick nest high in a hardwood.
- Blue Jays mob it — and imitate its call.
Red-tailed Hawk — Female
Buteo jamaicensis
- Identical, a third bigger than the male.
- Pairs build bulky stick nests in tall trees or on towers.
- The scream doubles for every eagle in the movies.
Part-by-Part Anatomy Breakdown
Every part offers a check:
| Body Part | Red-shouldered Hawk | Red-tailed Hawk |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Tail | Narrow black-and-white bands | Brick-red above, pale below |
| Breast | Rusty-orange barring | Pale chest, dark streaked belly band |
| Wings | Checkered black-and-white; crescent “windows” at the tips | Broad, with dark patagial marks on the leading edge |
| Build | Slim, long-tailed — almost accipiter-like | Big, broad, heavy |
| Perch | Low branches over wet ground | High poles, dead trees, road signs |
| Call | Loud repeated “kee-aah, kee-aah” | Hoarse descending “keeeer” |
| Prey | Frogs, snakes, crayfish, small mammals | Rodents, rabbits, snakes |
Song & Call Comparison
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
Calls: a loud, repeated kee-aah — learn it and find the hawk.
Notes: Blue Jays mimic this call almost perfectly.
Red-shouldered Hawk voice • Wikimedia Commons
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Calls: a hoarse, descending keeeer scream.
Notes: Hollywood dubs this scream over eagles and hawks alike.
Red-tailed Hawk voice • Wikimedia Commons
Range & Seasonal Presence
The Red-shouldered Hawk lives in eastern woodlands near water — plus a separate, brighter population along the California coast.
The Red-tailed Hawk is everywhere — open country, farmland, highways and city parks across the continent, in many color morphs.
Feeder Behavior & Favorite Foods
- Neither uses feeders — but both hunt the rodents around a well-stocked yard.
- Red-shouldered: hunts low over wet ground and backyard ponds.
- Red-tailed: soars over open fields and perches on poles scanning for voles.
- Birdbath: both visit ground-level water in dry summers.
Temperament & Flock Behavior
Red-shouldered Hawks are vocal forest hunters — calling constantly and mobbed (and mimicked) by Blue Jays.
Red-tailed Hawks are patient soarers — circling for hours and stooping on rodents from high poles.
6-Step Backyard ID Checklist
- Adult tail. Red = Red-tailed; banded = Red-shouldered.
- Breast. Rusty bars = Red-shouldered; belly band = Red-tailed.
- Build. Slim = Red-shouldered; bulky = Red-tailed.
- Habitat. Wet woods = Red-shouldered; open country = Red-tailed.
- Call. Kee-aah repeated = Red-shouldered; keeeer = Red-tailed.
- Juveniles. Both are brown-banded — use build, habitat and call.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell a Red-shouldered from a Red-tailed Hawk?
Adult Red-taileds have a brick-red tail and a dark belly band on a pale chest. Red-shouldereds have a narrowly banded tail, rusty-barred breast and checkered wings.
Which hawk screams in the movies?
The Red-tailed — its hoarse “keeeer” is dubbed over nearly every on-screen raptor.
Which hawk do Blue Jays imitate?
The Red-shouldered — jays mimic its “kee-aah” call almost perfectly.
Are juveniles hard to tell apart?
Yes — young birds of both lack the red tail. Use build, habitat, wing pattern and call.
Do they hunt backyard birds?
Rarely — both prefer rodents; Red-shouldered also takes frogs and crayfish near water.
Which is bigger?
The Red-tailed — up to 3.5 pounds; Red-shouldered is slimmer and smaller.
Key Takeaways
- Adult tail: Red = Red-tailed; banded = Red-shouldered.
- Breast: Rusty bars = Red-shouldered; belly band = Red-tailed.
- Build: Slim = Red-shouldered; bulky = Red-tailed.
- Habitat: Wet woods = Red-shouldered; open = Red-tailed.
- Call: Kee-aah = Red-shouldered; keeeer = Red-tailed.
- Movies: That scream is always a Red-tailed.