rtha-rsha comparison
 IWRC Raptor ID Series  
           
 
Red-Shouldered Hawk
 
Red-Tailed Hawk
           
  Adults        
  wide dark and narrow white bands   rufous colored
           
  reddish, barred breast
 
belly band
(missing in some races, see regional differences page)
         
red on shoulder
white panel in primaries
  no red on shoulder
         
black and white bars
on underside of wings 		  patagial mark
on underside of wings
         
Juveniles
     
 

fewer bands
black bands are wider than light colored bands

 

numerous narrow bands
black bands are all same width
black bands are narrower than lighter bands
   
     
  yellow cere
  pale greenish or bluish-green cere
           
  reddish panel in primaries
  no reddish panel in primaries
           
  brown streaks or spots
on chest 		  belly band
           
  black and white bars
on underside of wings 		  patagial mark
           
Fledglings
     
 

fewer bands

 

Photo by Pat Fisher

 
   
     
  yellow cere
  pale greenish or bluish-green cere
           
  reddish panel in primaries
  no reddish panel in primaries
           
  brown streaks or spots
on front 		  belly band
           
  no patagial mark   patagial mark
  More fledgling photos        
           
Nestlings
     
 


 
Photo by Sallie Reynolds

 
   
     
  yellow cere

Photo by Linda Hufford
 
Photo by Sallie Reynolds		 pale greenish
or bluish-green cere
  More nestling photos        
         
      Photos by Jean Chamberlain unless otherwise noted
         
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