Comparing Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks

Red-shouldered
Hawk
Red-tailed
Hawk
Adult
wide dark and narrow
white bands
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
rufous colored
reddish, barred breast
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
belly band
(missing in some races, see
regional differences page)
red on shoulder
white panel in primaries
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
no red on shoulder
black and white bars on
underside of wings
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Patagial mark
on underside of wings
Juvenile
fewer bands
black bands are wider than
light colored
bands
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
numerous narrow bands
black bands are all same
width
black bands are narrower
than lighter bands
yellow cere
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
pale greenish or
bluish-green cere
reddish panel in primaries
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
no reddish panel in
primaries
brown streaks or spots
on chest
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
belly band

black and white bars on
underside of wings
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
patagial mark

Fledgling
fewer bands
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
numerous narrow bands
black bands are narrower
than lighter bands
yellow cere
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
pale greenish or
bluish-green cere
reddish panel in primaries
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
no reddish panel in
primaries
brown streaks or spots
on front
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
belly band
no patagial mark
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
patagial mark
Nestling
Photo by Jean Chamberlain
Photo by Sallie Reynolds
yellow cere
Photo by Linda Hufford
Photo by Sallie Reynolds
pale greenish or
bluish-green cere
Go to red-shouldered hawk
Go to red-tailed hawk