Tag Archives: Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk Pair

The Red-shouldered Hawks have become very active around Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. It’s hard to say how many, but I have spotted them hunting in multiple locations around the property.

This one was above the pond where the White Ibis Feeding, constantly watching for something to move.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

While I was watching the first bird, Ted and I realized were photographing different hawks. I zoomed out to 100mm, the minimum on my zoom lens to get them together, if not in great focus.

Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks

Here’s a closer look at the lower bird.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 24, 2023

 

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.

Red-shouldered Hawk, First Light

The Red-shouldered Hawk that was sharing a snag with the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks blended right into the branch when he turned away from me.

Red-shouldered Hawk With Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Red-shouldered Hawk With Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

The hawk opted to move on.

Red-shouldered Hawk Flying Off, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Red-shouldered Hawk Flying Off, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

He didn’t go far, maybe just needed his own space.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

These snags stand in one of the wetland cells created as part of the city’s water reclamation process.

Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022

Red-shouldered Hawk With Chicks

A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks made their nest in a tree that hangs over the exit road at Magnolia Plantation.

Red-shouldered Hawk in Nest With Chicks
Red-shouldered Hawk in Nest With Chicks

With hundreds of treed acres available to them this seems like an odd choice with cars and pedestrians passing all day long.

Red-shouldered Hawk Nest
Red-shouldered Hawk Nest

That’s a frog leg sticking up by the hawk’s feet, soon to be breakfast for the chicks.

Red-shouldered Hawk with Frog
Red-shouldered Hawk with Frog, Sitting In Next Tree Over From Nest

The chicks were ready for their next meal.

Red-shouldered Hawk in Nest With Chicks
Red-shouldered Hawk Chicks

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 29, 2022

Hawk in Sweetgum Tree

I spotted this hawk while I was walking around the barnyard at Middleton Place. He was looking down at me, not much concerned by my presence.

Hawk in Sweetgum Tree
Hawk in Sweetgum Tree

I think this is a Red-shouldered Hawk, probably immature.  I moved along and a few minutes later I was alerted that he did, too, as the pigeons that perch on the barn roof took to the air in a frenzy.

Hawk in Sweetgum Tree
Hawk in Sweetgum Tree

October 19, 2021