Rare Bird Report 42-B-08

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
C.J. Strike WMA
2 October 2008

Observers: Scott Barnes & Linda Mack

Field Encounter: While driving into C.J. Strike WMA along Belle Road we observed a small buteo flapping quickly.  Luckily the bird perched atop a telephone pole and provided a short look at the bird in repose.  It quickly flew from its perch, and gave us good looks in flight at a relatively close distance.

Description: a medium-sized raptor, bigger than a Cooper’s Hawk and smaller than a Red-tailed Hawk.  When viewed perched, the bird had thick, dark brown streaks on the upper portion of the breast and dark barring on the lower breast/belly.  In flight, the bold patterning of black with white spotting on the upperwings combined with the rufous wing coverts were obvious.  The pale crescents near the wingtips were seen as well.  The tail was black with white bands.  Underwings not seen.  The bird’s flight style was rapid and very quick, snappy wingbeats interspersed with gliding. 

Similar Species: The rufous wing coverts combined with the white wing crescents should rule out other id contenders.

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)