Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), CRIT Tribal Preserve, La Paz County

This Red-shouldered Hawk was discovered and photographed by Joseph Hildreth on 28 July 2009 on the Colorado River Indian Tribe Tribal Preserve just south of Parker.

This species is rare but possibly increasing in Arizona and appears to be expanding its range into Arizona from California.

This is an immature because of the brown and tan wings and tail.  The presence of the rusty shoulder patch in an immature is typical of the expected, brightly colored western race, B. l. elegans.  Immature elegans often look almost like adults of the eastern races.  Note also the long tail, dark eye stripe and buffy supercillium. (Not pictured but viewed in flight, orange/rufous body chest and underwing).

28 July 2009, photo by Joseph Hildreth