Adult bird: Reddish shoulders, yellowish-brown breast. Long wings with pale crescent at base of primary feathers often seen as "windows" in flight. Tail long with 3-4 narrow white bands seperated by wider black bands seen from above and below.

Breeding adult: No significant change.

Florida resident: Smaller and paler in overall color.

Immature bird: Browner above than adult. Pale below with dark streaks. Almost no indication of reddish shoulder.

Similar species: Red-tailed Hawk.

Habitat: Deciduous forest, wooded swamps and urban environments.

Breeding: In Florida, January -May

Text by Mary Jean Rogers, West Volusia Audubon

Click on the thumbnail below for larger image.