The red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a medium-sized hawk found in eastern North America. Known for its striking red and black wing pattern, the red-shouldered hawk is a common sight soaring over fields and woodlands in search of small mammals and other prey. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the wing pattern of the red-shouldered hawk and what it reveals about this raptor’s identification, flight capabilities, and behavior.
Basic Wing Pattern
The wings of the red-shouldered hawk display a vivid pattern of black and red markings. The base color of the wings is a rich, rufous red. On the upper side of the wings, broad black bands mark the tips of the primary, secondary, and some tertiary flight feathers. These black bands contrast sharply with the red base color. The underside of the wings shows a similar pattern, with black bars across the undersides of the flight feathers.
The black bars on the tips of the flight feathers create a checkerboard pattern when the wings are extended. This bold black and red wing pattern is a key field mark that helps distinguish the red-shouldered hawk from similar species. For example, the red-tailed hawk has less extensive black markings on its wings.
Flight Feathers
Looking more closely, the black bars on a red-shouldered hawk’s wings correspond to the outer flight feathers. The longest black bars mark the tips of the 10 primary flight feathers. Shorter bars indicate the tips of the secondary and inner tertiary flight feathers. This layered pattern of black bars reflects differences in the length of these various wing feathers.
The primaries are the longest and narrowest feathers, forming the outermost portion of the wing. The inner secondaries and tertiaries are progressively shorter from shoulder to wingtip. This graduated arrangement allows the wing to function as an airfoil and generate lift when extended. The black bars help accentuate the layered pattern of the flight feathers for identification.
Coverts and Linings
In addition to the pattern on the flight feathers, a red-shouldered hawk’s wings feature further black markings on the wing coverts. The greater, median, and lesser coverts overlay the bases of the flight feathers, forming a smooth surface when the wing is folded closed. Distinct black bars also mark the tips of the greater coverts.
The undersides of the wings display red linings at the base and black tips on the underwing coverts. When seen from below, this produces a contrasting two-tone pattern with a distinct black border along the trailing edge.
Variation
While this basic black and red wing pattern remains fairly consistent, some variation can occur among individual red-shouldered hawks. For example:
- The exact extent of black markings may vary, with some birds showing narrower or more broken bars.
- The base color ranges from rich, rufous red to a paler cinnamon.
- Rare dark morphs may be mostly dark brown instead of red.
- Immature birds display buff-colored areas on the upper wing coverts.
However, the distinctly patterned flight feathers remain the key identifying trait. Compared to other hawk species, no others share the red-shouldered’s boldly marked wing pattern.
Functions and Flight Style
The red-shouldered hawk’s wings serve several important functions related to flight:
Lift and Thrust
With a wingspan around 40 inches, the red-shouldered hawk has moderately broad wings relative to its body size. The large wing area helps generate adequate lift to keep the 1.5 pound bird aloft. The wings also provide thrust as the hawk flaps to propel itself through the air. The layered flight feathers allow the wings to catch air and produce thrust on both the downstroke and upstroke.
Maneuverability
The broad, slotted wingtips and short, rounded handwings improve the hawk’s agility and maneuverability in flight. These features allow tight turning and precise control, essential for navigating through cluttered forests. The hawk can adeptly dodge branches and trunks when chasing small birds or mammals through the woods.
Speed and Gliding
In open areas, the hawk’s medium-length, broad wings enable reasonably fast gliding flight. When cruising or kiting in updrafts, the hawk can reach estimated speeds of around 30-40 mph. The rounded wingtips reduce drag compared to species like the broad-winged hawk with more pointed wingtips. The red-shouldered hawk often utilizes a flap-glide style flight interspersed with short bursts of flapping.
Takeoff and Landing
For takeoffs and landings, the broad handwings provide good lift at slow speeds to get airborne or touch down precisely. The barred pattern on the undersides of the wings becomes visible during takeoffs, landings, and while kiting or banking.
Camouflage
The striking black and red barred pattern on the wings likely provides some degree of camouflage for the hawk while perched in trees. The contrasting bars help the hawk’s outline blend in against the alternating patterns of light and shadow found in leafy canopies. This may make it harder for small birds to detect the hawk and could aid the ambush predator when launching surprise attacks.
Identification
The red-shouldered hawk’s distinct wing pattern plays an important role in identification:
In Flight
When seen in flight from below, the contrasting black-and-red wings provide a clear, instant visual identification cue. The extensive black barring distinguishes the red-shouldered hawk from most other buteos. Even at a distance, the wing pattern stands out.
Perched
When perched, the prominently barred flight feathers remain the key to identification. The black bands across the trailing edges of the wings are often visible even when the rest of the wing is concealed. This helps distinguish a perched red-shouldered from similarly-colored red-tailed hawks.
Confusion with Broad-winged Hawk
One species with potential for confusion is the broad-winged hawk. It shares the basic black and red color tones. However, in direct comparison, the broad-winged has a very different wing pattern with a dark wrist patch and fewer barring on the flight feathers. Learning this key difference eliminates misidentification.
Regional Variation
As the red-shouldered hawk’s range spans much of eastern North America, slight regional variations in coloration exist. But the consistent wing pattern remains the best diagnostic marker across the species’ full geographic range.
Behavior and Communication
The red-shouldered hawk’s wings also play an important role in communication and behavioral displays:
Courtship Displays
During the breeding season’s courtship rituals, red-shouldered hawks perform dramatic aerial displays over their territory to attract and bond with a mate. These flights showcase the hawk’s wings through dynamic moves like the “sky dance.”
Territorial Displays
The hawk uses its wings both to advertise territory ownership and intimidate intruders. Broad, buoyant circular flights with deep, exaggerated wing beats draw attention. The contrasting pattern stands out boldly, especially when backlit.
Mobbing
Flocks of smaller birds will often mob and harass hawks by diving at them. The red-shouldered hawk may make erratic evasive wing maneuvers and blade its wings outward to startle attackers.
Alarm Communication
The conspicuous wing pattern likely helps communicate alarm between pairs or family groups. Rapid flights and circling with boldly flashing wings could help alert others to threats.
Conclusion
With its visually striking black and red wing pattern, the red-shouldered hawk is beautifully adapted for life as an agile, forest-dwelling raptor. The barred wing pattern provides camouflage when perched as well as vivid identification for both bird watchers and other hawks. In flight, the broad slotted wings grant excellent maneuverability along with sufficient speed and lift. Beyond their practical functions, those handsome wings have made the red-shouldered hawk one of the most aesthetically appealing raptors gracing North America’s spring skies.