There are a few species of hawks that have some red coloring on their heads. The most common hawks with red heads are the red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, and red-headed woodpecker. In this article, we will discuss the key characteristics and range of these red-headed hawks to help identify them.
Red-Tailed Hawk
The red-tailed hawk is one of the most common and widespread hawks in North America. As their name suggests, these raptors are easily identified by their reddish-brown tail. However, some red-tailed hawks also have a reddish wash over their heads, particularly on the crown. This can range from a light peach color to a deeper brick-red hue. The amount of red on the head is quite variable between individuals. Some red-tailed hawks may show no red coloring on the head at all.
In addition to the potential red hues on the head and tail, red-tailed hawks are stocky, broad-winged accipiter hawks. Adults have brownish upperparts and a pale underbelly with a dark band across the belly. Their wings are short and broad compared to other hawk species.
Red-tailed hawks are found throughout most of North America, particularly in open country with scattered trees or elevated perches for hunting. They are soaring raptors that primarily eat small mammals like rodents, but also hunt other birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Red-Shouldered Hawk
As their name suggests, red-shouldered hawks have reddish-brown shoulder patches. But they can also have some reddish-brown coloring on the head. Adults have checkered black and white undersides and wings, and a black and white banded tail. Their upperparts are darker brown. The head often shows variable amounts of pale to reddish-brown plumage. This can create a sharp contrast between the pale nape and darker back.
In flight, the translucent crescents near the wingtips of red-shouldered hawks create a narrower and more angular silhouette compared to the stockier, broader-winged red-tailed hawk. Red-shouldered hawks also have a distinctive high-pitched, whistling kee-ah call.
Red-shouldered hawks inhabit forests and wooded areas throughout eastern and coastal North America. They perch-hunt in trees and eat small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects and other birds.
Red-Headed Woodpecker
The red-headed woodpecker is aptly named for its solid red head, neck and upper breast. Their black bodies also have large white wing patches which are visible in flight. Compared to other woodpeckers, the red-headed woodpecker has a relatively flat crown and rounded head silhouette.
Red-headed woodpeckers inhabit open woodlands, groves and agricultural areas with scattered dead trees or patches of forest throughout eastern North America. They forage by hawking for insects in flight and probing into crevices in trees for hidden insects. Red-headed woodpeckers may also eat seeds, fruits and nuts.
While the red-tailed hawk and red-shouldered hawk are true hawks in the genus Buteo, the red-headed woodpecker is not technically a hawk but rather a near-passerine bird in the Picidae family of woodpeckers. However, the striking red head makes the red-headed woodpecker worth including in this discussion of red-headed raptorial birds.
Identification Tips
Here are some key identification tips for recognizing these red-headed hawks:
– Look for broad, rounded wings and a stocky body to identify a soaring red-tailed hawk.
– Listen for the red-shouldered hawk’s high-pitched, whistling klee-ah call. Also look for translucent crescents near the wingtips in flight.
– The solid red head and neck combined with black and white plumage indicates a red-headed woodpecker.
– Consider the habitat – red-tailed hawks are often seen soaring over open country, while red-shouldered hawks and red-headed woodpeckers inhabit forested areas.
– The amount of red on the head can be variable. Some red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks may show little or no red.
– The red-headed woodpecker is the only species with consistent, vivid red covering the entire head and upper neck.
Range and Migration
The range and migratory patterns of these red-headed hawks include:
| Species | Range | Migration |
| Red-tailed hawk | Across most of North America | Partial migrant, northern populations migrate south |
| Red-shouldered hawk | Eastern and coastal North America | Short-distance migrant |
| Red-headed woodpecker | Eastern North America | Migrates south in winter |
As this table shows, the red-tailed hawk has the widest range, occupying most of the North American continent. The red-shouldered hawk has a more eastern distribution. The red-headed woodpecker also inhabits eastern North America.
In terms of migration, red-tailed hawks that breed in northern latitudes will migrate south for the winter. More southern populations are year-round residents. Red-shouldered hawks are short-distance migrants that may shift their range but do not make lengthy journeys. And red-headed woodpeckers migrate south in winter and return to more northern latitudes to breed.
Understanding these migratory patterns, along with the habitat preferences and geographic ranges, provides helpful clues for identifying red-headed hawks.
Habitat and Diet
These red-headed hawks occupy different habitats and have adapted to varied diets:
| Species | Habitat | Diet |
| Red-tailed hawk | Open country, grasslands, deserts, farms, roadsides | Small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians |
| Red-shouldered hawk | Deciduous and mixed forests, swamps, wooded suburban areas | Small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, crayfish |
| Red-headed woodpecker | Open woodlands, groves, scrublands, grasslands with scattered trees | Insects, larvae, nuts, fruits, seeds |
The red-tailed hawk inhabits more open country and savanna-like habitat across North America. It is an opportunistic feeder, subsisting mainly on small mammals like rodents, rabbits and tree squirrels.
In comparison, the two red-headed woodland species are forest specialists. The red-shouldered hawk lives in dense, humid woodlands where it hunts small forest creatures. And the red-headed woodpecker inhabits open, patchy woods where it hawks for insects and supplements with nuts and fruits.
Paying attention to the species’ habitat preferences, in addition to physical appearance, helps correctly identify these red-headed raptors.
Interesting Facts
Beyond identification tips, here are some fascinating facts about each of these red-headed hawks:
Red-Tailed Hawk
– Occurs in 16 recognized subspecies that vary in plumage features and size. The western “Harlan’s” red-tailed hawk has striking dark plumage.
– The red tail may serve as a beacon to help other hawks maintain spacing while soaring in groups.
– The red-tailed hawk’s vocal cry is frequently used in movies and media to represent the sound of eagles and other raptors.
Red-Shouldered Hawk
– Nest sites are often reused for many years and some have been documented in continuous use for over 30 years.
– Theirunique call sounds like “kee-ah kee-ah kee-ah” – very different from the red-tailed hawk’s raspy scream.
– Also preys on crayfish, with specialized tactics like foot-dipping to lure them within striking distance.
Red-Headed Woodpecker
– Stores live food like acorns and insects in crevices of dead trees to eat later. A kind of “pantry” for caching food.
– Males and females cooperate in raising young, a rare behavior among North American woodpeckers.
– Head color may come from a pigment called rhodoxanthin, which the birds metabolize from certain insects they eat.
Conclusion
In summary, the red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, and red-headed woodpecker are the main North American species that can have red plumage on their heads. A red-tailed hawk shows broad, rounded wings and reddish tails, along with potential red hues on the crown. The red-shouldered hawk inhabits humid forests and has contrasting red shoulders. With its vivid solid red head, the red-headed woodpecker is unmistakable.
Considering details of appearance, habitat preferences, behavior, and range can help properly identify and appreciate these red-headed raptors. Their unique features and adaptations showcase the diversity of North America’s hawks and woodpeckers.
