Red-shouldered Hawk vs Broad-winged Hawk

In short

Juvenile Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks are most often confused in flight, but can be separated by tail length and wing shape: Red-shouldered shows a distinctly longer tail and more crescent-shaped pale markings in the primaries, while Broad-winged has a shorter, squarer tail and broader, more pointed wings. Adults are easier: Red-shouldered Hawks have rich rufous barring on the chest and a warm red 'shoulder' patch, while Broad-winged Hawks show a clean white belly with horizontal barring and lack the rufous tones. Structure is also key—Red-shouldered is lankier with longer wings and tail, while Broad-winged is compact and broad-winged. Both can overlap in range and season, especially during migration, so careful attention to these details is essential.

Identification tips

1. Juvenile tail length and shape: In flight, juvenile Red-shouldered Hawks show a distinctly longer, more rounded tail with multiple narrow white bands; Broad-winged juveniles have a shorter, squarer tail with fewer, broader white bands. This is often the quickest way to separate them in flight.
2. Pale crescent in primaries (juvenile and adult Red-shouldered): Look for translucent pale crescents near the wingtips (primaries) from below—these are present in Red-shouldered of all ages but absent in Broad-winged.
3. Wing shape: Broad-winged Hawks have shorter, broader wings with a more pointed/tapered look, giving them a compact appearance; Red-shouldered Hawks have longer, narrower wings for their size, contributing to a lankier jizz.
4. Adult chest color: Adult Red-shouldered Hawks have a rich rufous chest with fine reddish barring, while Broad-winged adults have a clean white belly and chest with horizontal brown barring.
5. 'Shoulder' patch: Only Red-shouldered Hawks show a prominent rufous patch on the upperwing coverts (the 'shoulder'), visible when perched and sometimes in flight. Broad-winged lacks this mark.
6. Tail banding (adult): Adult Broad-winged Hawks have 2–3 broad white tail bands (base, tip, sometimes middle), while Red-shouldered has more numerous, narrower white bars.
7. Underwing pattern: Red-shouldered Hawks (all ages) show more heavily barred wings above and below, while Broad-winged has less barring and lacks the pale crescents.
8. Flight style: Red-shouldered Hawks flap more frequently and with a snappier, Accipiter-like flight; Broad-winged tends to soar more steadily with less flapping.
9. Perched structure: Red-shouldered appears longer-tailed and more upright; Broad-winged is compact, short-tailed, and often looks hunched.
10. Leg color: Red-shouldered Hawks have long, bright yellow legs; this is less obvious in Broad-winged due to their shorter tarsi.
11. Regional variation: Western Red-shouldered Hawks are more rufous overall; Florida birds are paler. Broad-winged has rare dark morphs, but these are much less likely to be confused with Red-shouldered due to overall darkness and lack of rufous.
12. Seasonal context: If seen in winter in the US (outside Florida or the Caribbean), Broad-winged is very unlikely—most migrate south. Red-shouldered is resident in much of its range.
13. Migration context: Large flocks (kettles) in migration are almost always Broad-winged Hawks; Red-shouldered migrates singly or in small groups.
14. Habitat: Red-shouldered prefers wooded wetlands and riparian areas; Broad-winged is more often in upland deciduous or mixed forests.
15. Pitfalls: Juvenile Red-shouldered can be confused with juvenile Broad-winged, but always check tail length, wing crescents, and overall structure. Adult plumage is much more distinctive between the two.

Size

Red-shouldered Hawk is noticeably larger and longer-proportioned than Broad-winged Hawk. The average body mass for Red-shouldered is about 625.5g, while Broad-winged is lighter (265–560g). Red-shouldered is also longer (males 38–58 cm, females up to 61 cm) with a wingspan of 90–127 cm, compared to Broad-winged's 32–44 cm length and 74–100 cm wingspan. The Red-shouldered's tail is especially longer (16–24 cm vs. Broad-winged's 14.5–19 cm), and its tarsus is longer as well. In the field, Red-shouldered appears lankier and more elongated, while Broad-winged is compact and stocky.

Plumage

For juveniles and immatures, focus on tail and wing pattern in flight: Red-shouldered Hawks have a longer, more heavily barred tail and show translucent pale crescents near the wingtips (especially visible from below), while Broad-winged Hawks have a shorter, squarer tail with fewer, broader white bands and lack the strong pale crescents. Juvenile Red-shouldered are more streaked below, while juvenile Broad-winged are paler with more vertical streaking and less rufous. Adult Red-shouldered Hawks stand out with their rich reddish barring on the chest, pale belly with reddish bars, and a prominent rufous 'shoulder' patch visible when perched. Their upperparts are dark with pale spots, and the wings are heavily barred above. Adult Broad-winged Hawks, in contrast, have a dark brown back, a clean white belly and chest with horizontal barring, and a tail with 2–3 broad white bands (one at the base, one at the tip, and sometimes one in the middle). They lack the rufous tones and 'shoulder' patch of Red-shouldered. Dark morph Broad-winged Hawks are rare and much darker overall, but still lack the rufous and the pale crescents in the wings.

Behaviour

Red-shouldered Hawks often flap more in flight, with a style reminiscent of Accipiters, and may be seen soaring or gliding but with more frequent wingbeats. Broad-winged Hawks are more likely to soar steadily and are famous for migrating in large flocks (kettles), especially in fall. Red-shouldered Hawks are usually solitary or in small groups, even during migration. When perched, Red-shouldered sits more upright and appears longer-tailed, while Broad-winged looks more compact and hunched.

Habitat

Both species overlap in eastern North America, especially during migration. Red-shouldered Hawks prefer mature forests near water, wooded swamps, and riparian corridors, and are year-round residents in much of their range except the far north. Broad-winged Hawks breed in deciduous or mixed forests, often away from water, and are highly migratory—most leave North America for Central and South America in winter. Broad-winged is less likely to be found in winter in the US except in the far south or Caribbean. During migration, Broad-winged is more likely to be seen in open areas and at hawk watch sites.