Rare Bird Report 41-B-08

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)

Kinney Creek, Mink Creek Recreation Area

6 August 2008

Observer: Scott Barnes

Field Encounter:

While leading a group up the trail from the Kinney Creek parking area, a medium-sized buteo in flight caught my attention.  The bird was visible at a medium distance (I’m not the best judge of distance, but I’d estimate ca. 100 yards) and viewed in good light (sun was low and behind me).  After viewing for approximately one minute it glided off behind the hill towards the riparian area along the creek.  I did not see it again. 

Characters that I noticed immediately included a quick wing flap, heavily streaked breast and belly, reddish underwing coverts, and pale crescents near the wingtips.  The bird’s overall brown coloration indicated a bird in juvenile plumage.

Description: the upperparts were generally dark brown (I wasn’t able to see the rufous in the upperwing, but the dorsal side view was brief) and the underparts were dingy white with heavy, thick streaking on the breast and belly.  The tail was dark brown with narrow white bands.  Underwing coverts were rufous red, remiges were pied black/white.  Pale crescent-shaped white wing panels were very noticeable in the primaries of each wing. 

Similar Species: The rufous underwing coverts and pale crescent-shaped wing panels rule out all other raptors. 

Previous Experience:  I’ve seen many, many Red-shouldered Hawks in the eastern US and have 20+ years of experience with other buteos and all three accipiters. 

Scott Barnes

Senior Naturalist

Sandy Hook Bird Observatory/New Jersey Audubon Society

scott.barnes@njaudubon.org (work)

myiarchus16@yahoo.com (personal)