Buteo lineatus
L 19"(48 cm) W 40"(102 cm).

Song or calls:
Listen (NGPC audio)
In flight, slurred “peeer-peeer-peeer-peeer”

more images

photo by Phil Swanson

Description: Sexes similar. Rufous shoulder patch, rust-colored body and underwing linings. Light banding on breast. Dark tail with narrow white bands. Immatures are white with brown streaks below, brown above. Rufous shoulder patch is less apparent.

Habitat: Found in moist woodlands, especially floodplain forests. Nearby open country is necessary for foraging.

Where in Nebraska: Uncommon to occasional spring and fall migrant in eastern Nebraska. Possible permanent resident in southeast. Rare in rest of state.

Fun Facts: Red-shouldered hawks can shoot their feces over the edge of the nest by the time they are five days old. Pairs often have same territory for many years and frequently use old nests as eating platforms.