Red-shouldered Hawk

General Description

The Swainson's Hawk is a slender buteo, similar in length to the Red-tailed Hawk, but with a longer wingspan and weighing about 20% less. The pointed wings are held in a strong dihedral in flight. There are three different color phases, light, dark, and intermediate (or rufous), all of which occur in Washington. Pairs are often of mixed color phases. Light-phase adults have a white or mostly white belly, with matching underwings. They have rufous breasts, or bibs, that contrast sharply with their white bellies. The head is dark with white surrounding the bill, extending down to the throat and up to the eyes. The back is solid dark brown. Dark adults are almost solid dark brown with rufous on the belly and underwings. Intermediate plumages fall along a continuum between dark and light phases. All adults have dark flight feathers. Juveniles are generally mottled versions of the adults, with the juvenile of the light phase having a fairly white head at times.

Red-shouldered Hawks are Rare in Western Washington from August-March.
Habitat
Is in Riparian areas.
Behavior
Is almost like an accipiter more than Buteo.