Red-shouldered Hawk vs Short-tailed Hawk

The Red-shouldered Hawk and the Short-tailed Hawk can be distinguished by their flight patterns and plumage. Red-shouldered Hawks have distinctive reddish shoulders and a more barred underwing pattern, while Short-tailed Hawks have two color morphs and soar with flat wings and slightly upturned wingtips.

Look for the Red-shouldered Hawk's reddish shoulders and distinctive call. Note the Short-tailed Hawk's soaring behavior and color morphs. In flight, Red-shouldered Hawks show a more pronounced barred pattern on the wings, while Short-tailed Hawks have flat wings with slightly upturned tips.

Both species are similar in size, but the Red-shouldered Hawk may appear bulkier due to its broader wings and tail.

Red-shouldered Hawks have reddish shoulders, a barred tail, and a checkered pattern on the wings. Short-tailed Hawks have two morphs: light morphs with white underparts and dark morphs with dark brown plumage. The Short-tailed Hawk's tail is not noticeably short despite its name.

Red-shouldered Hawks often perch in open areas and are more vocal, while Short-tailed Hawks are more likely to soar at great heights and rarely perch in the open.

Red-shouldered Hawks are typically found in deciduous woodlands and near water bodies, whereas Short-tailed Hawks prefer tall, dense forests but can forage in a variety of landscapes including swamps and savannas.

Red-shouldered Hawks are known for their loud, distinctive calls, often described as a repeated 'kee-aah.' Short-tailed Hawks are generally quieter and less vocal.