Where Do Red-shouldered Hawks Live? (Range + Habitat)

Mostly confined to woodland habitats, red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) are medium-sized raptors whose habitat is under threat from deforestation. You might be wondering what kind of habitats red-shouldered hawks need, and where in the U.S. they can be found? If so, then please keep reading as we have the answers to those questions and more below.

Red-shouldered hawks have a wide geographical range that extends across the eastern U.S., but they are mainly found in forested landscapes. In the western U.S. their range is much smaller, but they are more visible, hunting on open pastures, eucalyptus groves and in residential areas.

In the northernmost extremes of their range, red-shouldered hawks are migratory, arriving to breed each spring and flying south during fall. Further south, populations are typically resident all year round, although some migration into northeast Mexico in winter is seen.

If you’d like to learn more about where to head to stand a good chance of spotting red-shouldered hawks and what kind of landscapes support their hunting needs, then please read on.

Mostly confined to woodland habitats, red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) are medium-sized raptors whose habitat is under threat from deforestation. You might be wondering what kind of habitats red-shouldered hawks need, and where in the U.S. they can be found? If so, then please keep reading as we have the answers to those questions and more below.

Red-shouldered hawks have a wide geographical range that extends across the eastern U.S., but they are mainly found in forested landscapes. In the western U.S. their range is much smaller, but they are more visible, hunting on open pastures, eucalyptus groves and in residential areas.

In the northernmost extremes of their range, red-shouldered hawks are migratory, arriving to breed each spring and flying south during fall. Further south, populations are typically resident all year round, although some migration into northeast Mexico in winter is seen.

If you’d like to learn more about where to head to stand a good chance of spotting red-shouldered hawks and what kind of landscapes support their hunting needs, then please read on.

Red-shouldered hawks have a wide geographical range that extends across the eastern U.S, with a smaller population in the west

Red-shouldered hawks have a wide geographical range that extends across the eastern U.S, with a smaller population in the west

What is the distribution range of Red-shouldered hawks?

Two distinct populations of red-shouldered hawks exist across North America. The first is limited to an area along the west coast of the US, southwards into Baja California, Mexico.

In the eastern part of the continent, the species is present in a wider area, from southeastern Canada, across much of the eastern United States, and as far south as northeast Mexico.

Where do Red-shouldered hawks live in the US?

Red-shouldered hawks live and breed along a relatively small strip on the west coast of the country, centered to the west of the Sierra Nevada. To the east, the species has a much larger geographical range, covering the entire east of the country.

In the extreme northeast, red-shouldered hawks are migratory visitors, arriving to breed each spring, but further south, from Maryland to Florida, they are permanent residents.

What is the distribution range of Red-shouldered hawks?

Two distinct populations of red-shouldered hawks exist across North America. The first is limited to an area along the west coast of the US, southwards into Baja California, Mexico.

In the eastern part of the continent, the species is present in a wider area, from southeastern Canada, across much of the eastern United States, and as far south as northeast Mexico.

Where do Red-shouldered hawks live in the US?

Red-shouldered hawks live and breed along a relatively small strip on the west coast of the country, centered to the west of the Sierra Nevada. To the east, the species has a much larger geographical range, covering the entire east of the country.

In the extreme northeast, red-shouldered hawks are migratory visitors, arriving to breed each spring, but further south, from Maryland to Florida, they are permanent residents.

Red-shouldered hawk soaring through the skies, Florida

Red-shouldered hawk soaring through the skies, Florida

What states do Red-shouldered hawks live in?

In the western U.S. Red-shouldered hawks are resident all year round in California, with populations recently extending into Oregon and Arizona.

In the east, breeding occurs from Maine westwards as far as Minnesota. Birds that form these northernmost breeding populations migrate south in winter, with states from southern Wisconsin, southern Michigan, Pennsylvania and southeast Ohio southwards all supporting year-round populations.

In the south, from Florida around the Gulf Coast to Texas, red-shouldered hawks are present all year round, with numbers increasing in the winter months by migrant birds heading to wintering grounds in Mexico.

Where do Red-shouldered hawks live in Canada?

Red-shouldered hawks are not common in Canada, limited to a small area in the extreme southeast of the country where breeding has been observed. Outside of this area – in southern New Brunswick and western Ontario, sightings are rare. Visiting birds leave their Canadian breeding grounds from September, returning in March to April.

What states do Red-shouldered hawks live in?

In the western U.S. Red-shouldered hawks are resident all year round in California, with populations recently extending into Oregon and Arizona.

In the east, breeding occurs from Maine westwards as far as Minnesota. Birds that form these northernmost breeding populations migrate south in winter, with states from southern Wisconsin, southern Michigan, Pennsylvania and southeast Ohio southwards all supporting year-round populations.

In the south, from Florida around the Gulf Coast to Texas, red-shouldered hawks are present all year round, with numbers increasing in the winter months by migrant birds heading to wintering grounds in Mexico.

Where do Red-shouldered hawks live in Canada?

Red-shouldered hawks are not common in Canada, limited to a small area in the extreme southeast of the country where breeding has been observed. Outside of this area – in southern New Brunswick and western Ontario, sightings are rare. Visiting birds leave their Canadian breeding grounds from September, returning in March to April.

Close up of a Red-shouldered hawk perched in a tree

Close up of a Red-shouldered hawk perched in a tree

What is the habitat of a Red-shouldered hawk?

Red-shouldered hawks are woodland birds, and in the eastern parts of their range are rarely seen outside forested regions, inhabiting deciduous and mixed forests crossed with swamps and rivers.

In Florida and California, they have a far more visible presence, adapting well to open landscapes, where they hunt from perches, particularly in winter months.

In Florida, mangroves and pine forests provide ideal habitats for red-shouldered hawks, while in the west, riverside woodlands, eucalyptus groves and oak plantations are favored.

What is the habitat of a Red-shouldered hawk?

Red-shouldered hawks are woodland birds, and in the eastern parts of their range are rarely seen outside forested regions, inhabiting deciduous and mixed forests crossed with swamps and rivers.

In Florida and California, they have a far more visible presence, adapting well to open landscapes, where they hunt from perches, particularly in winter months.

In Florida, mangroves and pine forests provide ideal habitats for red-shouldered hawks, while in the west, riverside woodlands, eucalyptus groves and oak plantations are favored.

Red-shouldered hawk in its natural forest habitat

Red-shouldered hawk in its natural forest habitat

How rare is it to see a Red-shouldered hawk?

In parts of the eastern United States, red-shouldered hawks are considered relatively uncommon, with populations declining due to habitat loss. In the west, they are more common, and sightings are reported in more diverse landscapes.

The species is classified as being of least concern, but are far less common than red-tailed hawks and sharp-shinned hawks.

How rare is it to see a Red-shouldered hawk?

In parts of the eastern United States, red-shouldered hawks are considered relatively uncommon, with populations declining due to habitat loss. In the west, they are more common, and sightings are reported in more diverse landscapes.

The species is classified as being of least concern, but are far less common than red-tailed hawks and sharp-shinned hawks.

Where is the best place to see Red-shouldered hawks?

Red-shouldered hawks have a distinctive “kee-ahh” whistle, which makes them easier to hear than see. Listening out to this call may give you a heads-up as to where to look.

In the east, forested environments are your best bet. They build bulky, messy stick nests in the forks of the main branches of tree trunks, camouflaged with thick foliage, at least 11 m (35 ft) above the ground.

In Florida, you may spot one perched in a eucalyptus grove or hovering over open land, particularly if there is a river and area of woodland nearby.

It’s unlikely that you’ll get near enough for a close-range sighting, but red-shouldered hawks are fairly easy to identify from a distance, or in flight, due to their markings and wing shape.

Where is the best place to see Red-shouldered hawks?

Red-shouldered hawks have a distinctive “kee-ahh” whistle, which makes them easier to hear than see. Listening out to this call may give you a heads-up as to where to look.

In the east, forested environments are your best bet. They build bulky, messy stick nests in the forks of the main branches of tree trunks, camouflaged with thick foliage, at least 11 m (35 ft) above the ground.

In Florida, you may spot one perched in a eucalyptus grove or hovering over open land, particularly if there is a river and area of woodland nearby.

It’s unlikely that you’ll get near enough for a close-range sighting, but red-shouldered hawks are fairly easy to identify from a distance, or in flight, due to their markings and wing shape.

Red-shouldered hawks are mostly seen from fairly far away, or soaring through the sky

Red-shouldered hawks are mostly seen from fairly far away, or soaring through the sky

What time do Red-shouldered hawks come out?

Red-shouldered hawks are diurnal birds, and only hunt during daylight hours, when they watch for prey from perches around 2 m to 4.5 m (6 ft to 15 ft) above the ground.

They hunt by sight, spending long periods of each day soaring above fields and meadows near forested areas, before roosting and resting overnight.

What time do Red-shouldered hawks come out?

Red-shouldered hawks are diurnal birds, and only hunt during daylight hours, when they watch for prey from perches around 2 m to 4.5 m (6 ft to 15 ft) above the ground.

They hunt by sight, spending long periods of each day soaring above fields and meadows near forested areas, before roosting and resting overnight.

Do Red-shouldered hawks stay in one place?

In the western part of their range, red-shouldered hawks are mostly sedentary, remaining in the same territories throughout the year. Birds that breed in the northernmost regions of their range do migrate sound in winter, but are not usually long-distance migrants.

In winter, sightings are regularly reported as far south as northeast Mexico.

Do Red-shouldered hawks stay in one place?

In the western part of their range, red-shouldered hawks are mostly sedentary, remaining in the same territories throughout the year. Birds that breed in the northernmost regions of their range do migrate sound in winter, but are not usually long-distance migrants.

In winter, sightings are regularly reported as far south as northeast Mexico.

Close up portrait of a Red-shouldered hawk

Close up portrait of a Red-shouldered hawk

Where do Red-shouldered hawks live in the winter?

Most red-shouldered hawks are year-round residents, with the exception of populations that breed in the extreme northern reaches of their range. These birds head south, as far as northwestern Mexico, during the colder winter months.

Western populations – those in California and Baja California – have sufficient prey and a suitable climate to be able to survive in their home territories throughout the year.

During winter months, it is more common for red-shouldered hawks to be spotted in open countryside, rather than confined to densely forested landscapes.

How do Red-shouldered hawks survive winter?

Most red-shouldered hawks remain in their home territories all year round, with abundant food resources in their forest habitats in both winter and summer.

In the extreme northern parts of their range, red-shouldered hawks fly south at the end of the breeding season, heading as far south as northeastern Mexico, where they spend the winters in swampy woodlands with more tolerable climates.

Where do Red-shouldered hawks live in the winter?

Most red-shouldered hawks are year-round residents, with the exception of populations that breed in the extreme northern reaches of their range. These birds head south, as far as northwestern Mexico, during the colder winter months.

Western populations – those in California and Baja California – have sufficient prey and a suitable climate to be able to survive in their home territories throughout the year.

During winter months, it is more common for red-shouldered hawks to be spotted in open countryside, rather than confined to densely forested landscapes.

How do Red-shouldered hawks survive winter?

Most red-shouldered hawks remain in their home territories all year round, with abundant food resources in their forest habitats in both winter and summer.

In the extreme northern parts of their range, red-shouldered hawks fly south at the end of the breeding season, heading as far south as northeastern Mexico, where they spend the winters in swampy woodlands with more tolerable climates.

Red-shouldered hawk perched on a snow covered branch, during the winter

Red-shouldered hawk perched on a snow covered branch, during the winter

Where do Red-shouldered hawks live in the summer?

While many red-shouldered hawks spend the entire year in the same territory, some populations breed in the dense woodlands of southeastern Canada and northeastern United States.

Migration to these northern breeding grounds takes place in spring, with birds arriving to breed in March and April. Forested environments, as well as urban settings interspersed with patches of woodland, offer red-shouldered hawks an ideal nesting habitat.

Where do Red-shouldered hawks live in the summer?

While many red-shouldered hawks spend the entire year in the same territory, some populations breed in the dense woodlands of southeastern Canada and northeastern United States.

Migration to these northern breeding grounds takes place in spring, with birds arriving to breed in March and April. Forested environments, as well as urban settings interspersed with patches of woodland, offer red-shouldered hawks an ideal nesting habitat.

Do Red-shouldered hawks live in groups?

Red-shouldered hawks are solitary birds, and outside of the breeding season, it is unusual to see more than one bird at a time. Occasionally they may form small groups for migration but typically prefer to stick to their own company.

Red-shouldered hawks are notoriously territorial, and aggressive toward other red-shouldered hawks as well as confrontational toward other species.

Do Red-shouldered hawks live in groups?

Red-shouldered hawks are solitary birds, and outside of the breeding season, it is unusual to see more than one bird at a time. Occasionally they may form small groups for migration but typically prefer to stick to their own company.

Red-shouldered hawks are notoriously territorial, and aggressive toward other red-shouldered hawks as well as confrontational toward other species.