You’ll hear it before you see it. A sharp, echoing kee-yer sails over the pines like a warning, or maybe a question. Then—there it is. Perched just above the tree line, a streak of cinnamon chest, checkered wings, and fiercely intelligent eyes: the Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), one of Florida’s most vocal—and misunderstood—birds of prey.
Not Just Another Bird of Prey
Red-shouldered hawks aren’t the silent assassins we imagine hawks to be. They’re talkers. Loud ones. Especially during nesting season, when their shrill calls seem to bounce off the cypress and slash pine hammocks like a hawk opera. Some scientists believe these vocalizations act like verbal fences—“Mine!” they declare, staking out nesting territory audibly as much as physically.
They’re often overshadowed by the larger and quieter red-tailed hawks, but red-shouldereds are arguably more adaptable and far more elegant in the canopy.
Why They Hunt After Rain
Watch a red-shouldered hawk after a storm. As puddles form and frogs surface, these hawks become opportunistic ambush hunters, dropping low from their perches to snatch up prey made vulnerable by the rain—snakes, toads, even crayfish. Yes, crayfish. Especially in Florida wetlands, this hawk hunts like a marshland fox.
Their hearing is acute. Some researchers believe they can actually detect the movement of frogs beneath the mud or leaf litter, pinpointing sound frequencies the way owls do. Which means your backyard after a summer storm? That’s a five-star buffet.
The Tree They Prefer (and Why It Matters)
In Florida, red-shouldered hawks favor hardwood forests near water—especially places where oak, maple, and cypress meet. They return to the same nesting sites year after year, building up their stick nests like feathered architects. Some nests have been known to last over a decade with annual repairs.
Their presence in a neighborhood often signals a healthy ecosystem: the hawk as a barometer of biodiversity. If you spot one overhead, take a moment—there’s probably a hidden world beneath it worth protecting.
How to Spot One in Tampa Bay
Look up: Utility poles, tall cypress trees, even suburban oaks are prime perches.
Listen: Their call is unmistakable—shrill, descending, and oddly humanlike.
Watch the edge: They love hunting along forest edges and open ditches where prey has few places to hide.
A Hawk That Remembers
Some birders swear red-shouldered hawks remember faces. Anecdotal accounts suggest that hawks living near homes or parks recognize the people who walk nearby each morning—and will scold or ignore them accordingly.
Whether it’s true or folklore, one thing’s certain: the red-shouldered hawk isn’t just part of Florida’s sky. It’s part of the story.