Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk Looking For A Meal

I noticed this well camouflaged Red-shouldered Hawk perched in a tangle of crepe myrtle branches. Then I realized it was the flitting of the Mocking Bird that had caught my eye.

Red-shouldered Hawk and Mocking Bird
Red-shouldered Hawk and Mocking Bird

The Mocking Bird passed in front of the hawk undisturbed and went on his way.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

It was late afternoon and I thought maybe the hawk wasn’t in feeding mode, but then he dropped to the ground. He immediately mantled over some prey, covering it from other potential predators.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

That prey either escaped or was very tiny, consumed in one bite.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

The hawk flew to another crepe myrtle and continued to watch the ground.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 3, 2022

Red-shouldered Hawk ID confirmed with Merlin Bird ID app.

6 thoughts on “Red-shouldered Hawk Looking For A Meal”

  1. From the images on All About Birds, I’m thinking this is an immature Red-shouldered Hawk. Perhaps he missed his target because he is still learning to hunt?

    1. Yes, it is most likely an immature. At least one pair of Red-shouldered Hawks raised young in this area over the summer.
      It could be that inexperience played a part. He only had about an hour of daylight left so I hope he got more opportunities.

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