Adult Red-shouldered Hawk perched in a pine tree at Sawgrass Lake Park, Pinellas County, FloridaAdult Red-shouldered Hawk – Nikon D200, handheld, f5.6, 1/125, ISO 200, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light, not baited

There are five recognized subspecies of Red-shouldered Hawks with the Florida Red-shouldered Hawks having the palest heads and plumage. I believe this Red-shouldered Hawk adult is from the Florida race, Buteo lineatus extimus. (Correct me if I am wrong)

Sawgrass Lake County Park in Pinellas County, Florida was a terrific location for me to see and photograph Red-shouldered Hawks, the habitat included mixed deciduous-coniferous woodlands, flooded deciduous swamps, plenty of dead trees for them to perch on to hunt from and plentiful prey for them to eat.

Red-shouldered Hawk eat a wide variety of prey including small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, small birds, invertebrates and crayfish.

I don’t think I can recall a single visit to Sawgrass Lake Park where I didn’t see or hear Red-shouldered Hawks. I think their eyes are huge compared to the size of their heads.

Because I am currently living in Utah I do not get to see or photograph Red-shouldered Hawks because they are infrequently spotted here. I still miss hearing them or seeing them swoop down from a perch to capture prey but there are plenty of Red-tailed Hawks that fill that void.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Red-shouldered Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.