Behavior of the Red-Shoulder Hawk
A Study of the Red-Shoulder Hawk
Bryan Griggs
Sierra Nevada College
Abstract
I will describe the hunting behavior of the Buteo Lineatus (Red-Shoulder Hawk).
I will describe the Red-Shoulder Hawk (RSHA) their type of hunting behavior, and why they are successful. I will describe their habitat in which they can be spotted. How to identify the RSH in the wild and what makes it different from other common hawks I.E Red Tails, Harris, and Ferruginous Hawks. I will describe how their specialized eye site works. I will explain what should be done to help monitor the populations of the RSHA. All will list all research materials used. The Red-Shouldered Hawk (RSHA) lives across North Americas forests, but…show more content… Total length: males range from 43-58cm and females range from 48-61cm. males with weigh approximately 550g with females weighing about 700g, but can weigh as much ad 800g. The upper wing coverts red and underparts are barred red. The tail is marked by wide dark bars, with narrow white in-between and ending with white on the tips. Juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawks are brown across the back and streaked below, very similar to the juvenile Broad-Winged Hawks. RSHA juveniles are best identified its shape, longer tails and more rounded wings and crescent shaped panel on the outer main flight feathers. The eye site on the Red-Shouldered Hawk is anywhere from 2 to 8 times better than humans. With excellent eye site come large eyes and this is true with all raptors. Some scientists believe they can identify and see medium size prey from over a mile away. Like all animals that hunt including human the RSHA eyes face forward, that creates some overlap between the left and right eye. This helps with depth perception, allowing the RSHA to tell how close or far an object is. If you watch any raptor long enough you will see it turning and bobbing its head in different directions, they do this to triangulate the objects position for…show more content… This would be similar to humans using freeway lights guiding us at night. The RSHA eye site is important to its survival and there are several key features to help protect it. The eyes are surrounded by bone, which helps protect and keep them in place. This does not allow the RSHA to move its eyes independently, so in order to look up/down, left/right the RSH needs to turn its head. The RSHA can turn its own head at least 180 degrees, and possibly even to 270 degrees. For additional protection the RSHA has a third eyelid called nictitating membrane. This membrane allows the RSHA to blink and allows protection of the eyes. This membrane is semitransparent that does not move up/down, but side to side. This helps keep the eyes moist and
