Broad-winged Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks are two similar-looking species of Buteo hawks found in North America. Both species have reddish-brown immature plumages that can make differentiating between the two difficult for birders. However, there are some key physical differences between immature Broad-winged Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks that can help with identification.
In this article, we will compare the field marks, size, shape, flight style, habitat, range, diet, and vocalizations of immature Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks. Becoming familiar with the subtle differences between these two raptors takes practice, but being able to distinguish immatures of these species is an important ID skill for birders to master.
Field Marks
Some of the main field marks to look for when trying to differentiate an immature Broad-winged Hawk from an immature Red-shouldered Hawk include:
Breast Streaking
Immature Broad-winged Hawks have dense, irregular streaking and blotches on the breast that form a mottled or marbled pattern. The streaking transitions from heavy on the upper breast to barred on the lower breast and belly.
Immature Red-shouldered Hawks have thinner, more linear streaking on the breast that does not blend together to form a mottled look. The streaking is also more uniform throughout the breast.
Belly Band
One of the best ways to identify an immature Broad-winged Hawk is by the distinctive belly band. This is a noticeable band of barring across the lower belly.
Immature Red-shouldered Hawks lack a bold belly band. Their streaking does not form an obvious broad bar in that area.
Tail
Immature Broad-winged Hawks have a square-tipped tail with narrow white bands. There are typically 4-5 white bands on the tail.
The tail of an immature Red-shouldered Hawk is longer and more rounded at the tip. The tail has much thicker white bands, usually just 3-4 bands.
Wrist Area
On immature Broad-winged Hawks, the wrist area (the carpal joints on the trailing edge of the wing) is minimally marked. There are just thin, indistinct barring and very little color contrast in that area.
Immature Red-shouldered Hawks have a pale crescent marking on the wrist that stands out from the darker flight feathers, forming a bracket-like shape. This is a useful clue for ID.
Size and Shape
In terms of size and proportions, immature Broad-winged Hawks are:
– Smaller and more compact overall than immature Red-shouldered Hawks
– Have a smaller head that sits lower on the shoulders
– Have a shorter, fuller tail
– Have shorter, broader wings that are two-toned with a dark wrist patch
Immature Red-shouldered Hawks are:
– Larger, longer-tailed, and long-winged
– Have a larger head that protrudes above the shoulders
– Have longer, thinner wings that do not show a dark wrist patch
In Flight
The different wing shapes become very apparent when these two species are viewed in flight:
– Immature Broad-winged Hawks have broad, rounded wings and a short, wide tail. Their wings can appear almost triangular.
– Immature Red-shouldered Hawks have long, broad wings and a longer tail. Their wings appear paddle-shaped.
Flight Style
The flight styles of immature Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks also differ:
Immature Broad-winged Hawks
– Flap-flap-glide style of flight with bursts of rapid flapping
– Direct flight on flat wings
– Frequent soaring, often in thermals and updrafts
Immature Red-shouldered Hawks
– Slow, buoyant flight with deep, rhythmic wingbeats
– Wings held in a slight dihedral
– Less frequent prolonged soaring, but may soar briefly
Habitat
These two hawk species are often found hunting in different habitats:
Immature Broad-winged Hawks
– Found in mature deciduous and mixed forests
– Often along forest edges and openings
– Favors forests near water
Immature Red-shouldered Hawks
– Found in wetland environments and riparian woodlands
– Favors floodplains, marshes, swamps and ponds with tall trees
– Often perches in dead snags along the water’s edge
Range
The breeding ranges of these hawks differ somewhat:
Immature Broad-winged Hawks
– Breed in eastern North America from southeastern Canada south to Florida and eastern Texas
– Migrate in large flocks called kettles through the Americas to wintering grounds in South America
Immature Red-shouldered Hawks
– Breed throughout much of eastern and coastal North America, some parts of the west, and in Central America
– Mostly year-round residents within their breeding range in the south
– Northern birds migrate shorter distances to southeastern U.S. for the winter
Diet
There is considerable overlap in the prey taken by these two hawk species:
Immature Broad-winged Hawks
– Mainly eat small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, small birds
– Common prey includes voles, mice, frogs, snakes, sparrows
– Will take larger prey like chipmunks, squirrels and rabbits occasionally
Immature Red-shouldered Hawks
– Diverse diet includes small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates
– Voles, snakes, lizards, crayfish, and dragonflies are common prey
– Larger prey taken include rats, chipmunks, ducks, and rabbits
Vocalizations
The calls of immature Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks differ significantly:
Immature Broad-winged Hawks
– Thin, whistled kee-eee-arr call
– High-pitched, catlike mew calls
– Short kik-kik-kik alarm calls
Immature Red-shouldered Hawks
– Harsh, screaming kee-aah calls
– Whistled kleeah pleeah vocalizations
– Mewing wail calls
– Fast kak-kak-kak alarm calls
Being able to distinguish these vocalizations can be very helpful for identifying distant raptors hidden in foliage. Immature Broad-winged Hawks are notoriously hard to spot among trees, so listening for their whistled calls is often the best way to detect them.
Conclusion
Telling apart immature Broad-winged Hawks and immature Red-shouldered Hawks comes down to subtle differences in streaking patterns, markings, body proportions, flight style, habitat, and vocalizations. Immature Broad-winged Hawks are smaller, more compact, frequent soarers that prefer deep woods and give whistled calls. Immature Red-shouldered Hawks are larger, longer-tailed, fly with slow wingbeats, favor wetland edges, and have screaming calls.
With practice, birders can learn to recognize these differences in the field. Observing the hawk’s size, shape, flight habits, location, and listening for calls are all helpful to the identification process. Birds may need to be followed for some time to note key characteristics. Using good optics, photographs, and field guides aids in picking up on the more subtle ID points.
Being able to confidently identify immatures of these two widespread buteos is an essential skill for understanding raptor populations and migration. Sharpening your abilities to distinguish immature Broad-winged Hawks from immature Red-shouldered Hawks will give you a deeper appreciation of these birds and elevate your birding skills.
Identification Table
Characteristic | Immature Broad-winged Hawk | Immature Red-shouldered Hawk |
---|---|---|
Size | Small, compact | Large, long-tailed |
Breast Streaking | Dense, blotchy | Linear streaks |
Belly Band | Obvious | Indistinct |
Tail | Short, square-tipped with narrow white bands | Long, rounded with thick white bands |
Wrist Area | Plain, minimally marked | Obvious pale crescent |
Flight Style | Flap-flap-glide, soaring | Slow, rhythmic wingbeats |
Wing Shape | Broad, rounded | Long, paddle-shaped |
Habitat | Deciduous and mixed forests | Wetlands |
Vocalizations | High, whistled calls | Harsh, screaming calls |
Similar Species
There are a few other species that have immature plumages similar to Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks to be aware of:
Red-tailed Hawk
Some immature Red-tailed Hawks can appear broadly streaked on the breast and belly like a Broad-winged. However, Red-tailed Hawks have a belly band that fades in the center rather than being solid across. They are also significantly larger with a longer, broader tail.
Ferruginous Hawk
Immature Ferruginous Hawks are heavily streaked below like Broad-winged Hawks but are much larger birds with a very large bill and legs. Their wings are also longer and slimmer in profile.
Swainson’s Hawk
Immature light morph Swainson’s Hawks can resemble a small Red-shouldered Hawk but have finer streaking on the breast and a different flight style with pointed wings. Swainson’s are also slimmer through the body with a longer neck and smaller head.
Northern Goshawk
Immature Northern Goshawks have bold, streaky underparts like Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks. However, goshawks have a very different structure with a larger head, shorter tail, and much longer wings.
Careful attention to size, proportions, and flight style should help eliminate confusion with these other raptor species in the field. When in doubt, photos and expert opinion can help confirm a tricky hawk ID.
Conclusion
In summary, there are some consistent differences to look for when identifying immature Broad-winged Hawks versus immature Red-shouldered Hawks:
– Breast streaking patterns – dense and blotchy versus linear
– Presence or absence of a solid belly band
– Size and proportions – Broad-winged compact and short-tailed, Red-shouldered larger and long-tailed
– Tail shape – Broad-winged square-tipped, Red-shouldered rounded
– Wing shape in flight – Broad-winged broad and triangular, Red-shouldered long and paddle-shaped
– Flight habits – Broad-winged flap-flap-glide, Red-shouldered slow, rhythmic flaps
– Habitat – Broad-winged in forests, Red-shouldered near wetlands
– Vocalizations – Broad-winged whistled, Red-shouldered screaming
While the immature plumages of these two common North American buteos can make identification tricky, their distinct features, habits, and voices make it possible with practice. Learning how to confidently tell apart immature Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks will help any birder improve their raptor identification skills.