Both the red shouldered hawk and the red-tailed hawk are medium-sized hawks that are found throughout North America. However, there are some key differences between these two species when it comes to their sizes.
Wingspans
In terms of wingspan, the red-tailed hawk is considerably larger than the red shouldered hawk:
Species | Average Wingspan |
---|---|
Red-tailed hawk | 49-57 inches |
Red shouldered hawk | 42-48 inches |
As the table shows, the average wingspan of a red-tailed hawk is about 49-57 inches, while a red shouldered hawk has an average wingspan of 42-48 inches. So in terms of wingspan alone, the red-tailed hawk is noticeably larger.
Weights
There is also a considerable difference when it comes to weight:
Species | Average Weight |
---|---|
Red-tailed hawk | 2.4-3.8 lbs |
Red shouldered hawk | 1.5-2.0 lbs |
The red-tailed hawk generally weighs 2.4-3.8 lbs while the red shouldered hawk weighs just 1.5-2.0 lbs on average. So the red-tailed is nearly twice as heavy as the red shouldered hawk.
Body Lengths
Looking at body length also shows the size difference:
Species | Body Length |
---|---|
Red-tailed hawk | 19-25 inches |
Red shouldered hawk | 17-23 inches |
The red-tailed hawk has an average body length of 19-25 inches compared to just 17-23 inches for the red shouldered. Again, this points to the red-tailed being noticeably larger in overall size.
Difference in Males and Females
It’s also worth noting that there is some degree of sexual dimorphism when it comes to size in both hawks. This means that females are considerably larger than males.
For red-tailed hawks, females may weigh up to 4.2 lbs compared to just 2.3 lbs for males. The wingspan difference can be up to 5 inches longer for female red-tails.
In red shouldered hawks, female body length can reach 23 inches while males top out around 20 inches. Females may weigh almost twice as much as their male counterparts.
Habitat Preferences
Differences in habitat preferences also point to size differences between the two hawks:
- Red-tailed hawks are more likely to be found in open habitats like fields, parks, and grasslands where their larger size helps them more easily spot and pursue prey across longer distances.
- Red shouldered hawks tend to prefer forests and wetland areas where they hunt from perches within the tree canopy. Their smaller size allows them to maneuver through dense vegetation more easily.
Hunting and Prey
The size differences between red-tailed hawks and red shouldered hawks also translates into differences in their hunting strategies and choice of prey:
Red-Tailed Hawk Hunting
- Will take larger prey including rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice and smaller birds like doves and ducks.
- Can also take prey up to size of young fawns.
- Soars high above open areas scanning for prey with sharp vision.
- Powerful flying capabilities allow it to pursue prey over distances.
Red Shouldered Hawk Hunting
- Focuses on smaller prey like frogs, snakes, lizards, smaller rodents, and songbirds.
- Hunts from perches in trees rather than soaring.
- Drops down on prey from short distances rather than chasing.
- Maneuverability helps it catch prey in dense habitat.
The red-tailed’s larger size and wingspan equips it for spotting and chasing down larger prey, while the more compact red shouldered is a more agile hunter of small prey in dense areas.
Nesting and Reproduction
Size also plays a role in how these hawks build nests and raise young:
Red-Tailed Hawk Nests
- Build very large stick nests up to 5 feet deep and 3 feet wide.
- Nests are often high up in tall trees or on cliffs/ledges.
- Larger nests can support more young.
- Clutches are typically 1-3 eggs.
Red Shouldered Hawk Nests
- Build smaller stick nests around 2 feet deep and wide.
- Nests lower down in trees than red-tailed hawk.
- Smaller nests mean smaller clutches of just 1-4 eggs.
The red-tailed hawk’s larger body allows it to carry more sticks and build the huge nests needed to raise multiple young, while the red shouldered builds a smaller nest suitable for its smaller clutch size.
Range and Distribution
While both hawks are widespread, the red-tailed’s larger size and adaptability allows it to occupy a broader range than the red shouldered hawk:
- Red-tailed hawks are found everywhere from Alaska and Canada down to Panama.
- Can thrive in many habitats from forests, mountains, deserts, grasslands to urban areas.
- Most widely distributed hawk in North America.
- Red shouldered hawks occupy eastern and southern parts of North America.
- Mainly found in wetland and forest habitats.
- Rarer in western North America and northern boreal forests.
The red-tailed hawk’s large size and versatility means it can survive across an incredibly wide range. The red shouldered is more limited by its smaller size and need for specific habitat.
Conservation Status
Differences in conservation status reflect the red-tailed hawk’s greater adaptability compared to the red shouldered hawk:
- Red-tailed hawk is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List due to large range and stable population.
- Total global population estimated at around 2 million individuals.
- Red shouldered hawk is Near Threatened due to loss of wetland habitat, especially in California.
- Total population likely less than 500,000.
While red-tailed hawks remain widespread and numerous, the red shouldered is declining throughout parts of its range as its specialized habitat disappears. The larger and more adaptable red-tail continues to thrive.
Conclusion
In summary, the red-tailed hawk is clearly the larger of these two medium-sized Buteo hawks. The key points showing the red-tail’s larger size include:
- Significantly wider wingspan of 49-57 inches vs 42-48 inches.
- Heavier weight at 2.4-3.8 lbs compared to 1.5-2 lbs.
- Longer body length ranging from 19-25 inches vs 17-23 inches.
- Can take larger prey including rabbits, ducks and squirrels.
- Builds huge stick nests up to 5 feet across and 3 feet deep.
- More widely distributed across much of North America.
While their names might suggest they are closely matched, the red-tailed hawk is noticeably bigger than the red shouldered hawk in all aspects of its anatomy, hunting behavior, habitat preferences and distribution. The evidence clearly shows the red-tailed is the larger of these two common North American Buteo hawks.