This is a juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus). This medium-sized hawk species is known for hunting from low perches in woodland areas, dining mostly on frogs, lizards, snakes, insects and small mammals. Weighing just over 1 pound, the average length can be 20 inches, with an average wingspan of 44 inches. It often has white barring on dark wings, with rusty-colored shoulders. All ages show narrow, pale crescents near the wingtips in flight.
You may notice that it has it's toes straightened-out. These birds often get cramps from the powerful tendons in their feet. They often have to stretch and rest the feet from grips.
Location: central Arkansas. June, 2013.
Photo # KS2_8474_75c.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.
Posts
2 comments:
He sure is handsome, and this is a wonderful portrait, Kelly.
Thanks Lisa
Post a Comment