Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a striking raptor known for its distinctive reddish plumage and broad wings, commonly found in the forests of eastern North America. This medium-sized hawk is a year-round resident in areas like Montreal, where it can often be seen perched high in treetops or soaring gracefully over woodlands in search of prey.
| 🇫🇷 | Buse à épaulettes |
| 🇩🇪 | Rotschulterbussard |
| 🇲🇽 | Busardo hombrorrojo |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
How to Identify
Observe the reddish coloring of the breast and shoulders. In flight, pay attention to the reddish hue on the lower part of the tail feathers.
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Characteristics
| Length | 38-61cm |
| Weight | 460-930g |
| Wingspan | 90-127cm |
| Clutch Size | 2-5 eggs |
| Incubation | 32-40 days |
| Fledging | 42-49 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 1-2 years |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Videos
Videos are hosted on YouTube. Click on a thumbnail to watch it.
Where and When to Spot
For the best chance to observe one or even a pair, visit Parc Angrignon, Parc Michel-Chartrand, or Parc Bernard-Landry during winter or early spring. These seasons offer optimal viewing opportunities due to the absence of foliage. This species prefers to perch atop treetops, and without dense vegetation, it is more easily visible.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | x | x | - | - |
| Parc Angrignon | x | - | - | - |
| Parc Bernard-Landry | x | - | - | - |
| Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | x | x |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.