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

This Red-shouldered Hawk was discovered and photographed by John West on 16 January 2011.

Rare, but apparently increasing visitor, particularly in the fall and winter. Most individuals arriving in Arizona are likely from expanding populations in California.

The combination of barred secondaries, upper breast streaking and lower breast barring identify this immature. The dark throat, long legs and plain face with buffy supercilium are also typical of Red-shouldered Hawk. The breast pattern is also highly suggestive of the expected California race, B. l. elegans.

16 January 2011, photo by John West

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