Red-Shouldered Hawks Mating

Birds of Prey

Can you imagine how excited I was when this suitor showed up right as I was pointing my shaky lens at this beautiful Red-Shouldered Hawk! She was sitting there minding her own business and... who am I kidding, she may have been waiting for him for an hour! Either way, he stopped by for some tree top... well lets say lovin'!!!

(click any photo to enlarge)

Finally she gives him a peck on the ear and off he goes. How beautiful are those red shoulders? The hawks have been really active lately and now I know why. Appears to be mating season here in central Florida for birds of prey.

Did you Know:

Cool Facts

• The Red-shouldered Hawk is divided into five subspecies. The four eastern forms contact each other, but the West Coast form is separated from the eastern forms by 1600 km (1000 mi). The northern form is the largest. The form in very southern Florida is the palest, having a gray head and very faint barring on the chest.
• Although the American Crow often mobs the Red-shouldered Hawk, sometimes the relationship is not so one-sided. They may chase each other and try to steal food from each other. They may also both attack a Great Horned Owl and join forces to chase the owl out of the hawk's territory.
• By the time they are five days old, nestling Red-shouldered Hawks can shoot their feces over the edge of their nest. Bird poop on the ground is a sign of an active nest.
• The Great Horned Owl often takes nestling Red-shouldered Hawks, but the hawk occasionally turns the tables. While a Red-shouldered Hawk was observed chasing a Great Horned Owl, its mate took a young owl out of its nest and ate it.

Did you Know Source

Thanks for stopping by,

Craig Glenn