Over the past two weeks, our resident red-shouldered hawk has been zooming about the neighborhood, shrieking loudly. More vocal than most buteos, this male is declaring its territory as the breeding season begins.
Red-shouldered hawks are common throughout the eastern half of the U.S.; most are permanent residents in their region but those that summer across more northern latitudes migrate southward in winter. Unlike their larger, red-tailed cousins, which favor open country, these medium-sized buteos prefer wooded areas, especially along streams and wetlands. Hunting from a perch, they drop to snare rodents, snakes, lizards or frogs.
Our local hawk is commonly observed throughout the year, most often noticed when flocks of crows or blue jays gather to harass it. Now, as the days lengthen and the mating season arrives, he creates his own disturbance.
