36 
The Red-Shouldered Hawk 
Behavior of 
Nestlings 
sitting on two eggs. She was left undisturbed till June 4, when there 
were two young, apparently about a week old. Observations from the 
blind were made frequently, often for almost a whole day at a time until 
July 8 when the young had left; and in no instance were the birds 
seen to bring poultry or game-birds to the young. In two cases small 
birds were brought. Usually the food was mice, and once what ap- 
peared to be the skinned and bloody body of a rat. 
“Where necessary the parents tore up the food for the young. The 
latter, when unable to swallow mice whole, laboriously tore and ate them 
piece-meal. Usually the young took turns at the food 
without quarreling. On one occasion when the 
smaller hawk seemed unable to tear up a mouse his 
larger brother seized it and tore it up with ease. The disappointed 
youngster watched this operation greedingly, occasionally making fur- 
tive grabs at stray bits, one or two of which he secured. On another 
occasion the smaller hawk seized a young bird brought by the parent 
and quickly ate it, while its larger companion made no effort to rise 
from its reclining position. Its meal disposed of the young bird per- 
formed a ‘dance/ seemingly in great happiness. This dance was ap- 
parently a common performance with the young after feeding. They 
would stand high on straightened legs, and flap their wings as they 
danced about the nest, apparently in a paroxysm of excitement. 
“As the time draws near for the young to leave the nest they alter- 
nately exercise their wings and rest, sprawling flat in the nest with legs 
outstretched. When they are ready to leave, their wings are strong 
and they easily flap to near-by trees and are lost to sight.” 
Classification and Distribution 
The Red-shouldered Hawk belongs to the Order Raptores and the Family 
Buteonidce . Its scientific name is Buteo lineatus lineatus. It breeds from Mani- 
toba, southern Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island south nearly to the 
Gulf States, and west to the edge of the great plains; winters south to the Gulf 
Coast. 
The subspecies are : Florida Red-shouldered Hawk, B. 1 . alleni, ranging from 
South Carolina through Texas into Mexico; and Red-bellied Hawk, B. 1. elegans, 
ranging from southern British Columbia to northwestern Mexico. 
This and other Educational Leaflets are for sale, at 5 cents each, by the National Association of 
Audubon Societies, 1974 Broadway, New York City. Lists given on request. 
