Red-Shouldered Hawk

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Red-Shouldered Hawk Photo

A number of raptors are found throughout the Bay Area, especially in good hunting grounds across grasslands and throughout the wetland areaas.

The Red-shouldered hawk is smaller than the Red-tailed Hawk and the species is not dimorphic -- which means that males and females look the same in plumage.

Identifying characteristics:

• Size: 16 to 24 inches
• Wingspan: Approximately 40 inches
• Red breast and red under wings

As with many birds, plumage varies by age and season (e.g. breeding season) so markings may differ from bird to bird.

Red-shouldered hawks eat rodents, birds and some reptiles and amphibians.

^{Photo © Mike Baird
Creative Commons
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey | Cornell Lab of Ornithology}