Can you ID Red Shoulder Hawk by screech alone? Texas (1 Viewer)

[debntexas]

I've been hearing this screeching from our suburban back yard, sounding almost like a sea gull but not. Today, I finally saw who was making the noise.

A pair of hawks doing smallish circles, then sort of fake diving, one following the other - I say fake because I didn't get the sense they were really diving after something. Screeching the entire time...not one long screech, but a screech every 10 seconds or so. The screech was 2 syllables, sort of like the sound they use in movies for eagles. I was looking up into bright sky, and the only comment I can make on what they looked like is that they were light colored under wings, with dark edges on tips of wings.

After reviewing possible species in our area, and listening to various candidates vocalizations, I believe these were Red-Shouldered Hawks. Is it fair to ID Red Shoulder Hawks by the screech alone? I know some birds do have distintive vocalizations - enough for ID purposes, but are these hawks that distinctive?

 

[Gentoo]

I've been hearing this screeching from our suburban back yard, sounding almost like a sea gull but not. Today, I finally saw who was making the noise.

A pair of hawks doing smallish circles, then sort of fake diving, one following the other - I say fake because I didn't get the sense they were really diving after something. Screeching the entire time...not one long screech, but a screech every 10 seconds or so. The screech was 2 syllables, sort of like the sound they use in movies for eagles. I was looking up into bright sky, and the only comment I can make on what they looked like is that they were light colored under wings, with dark edges on tips of wings.

After reviewing possible species in our area, and listening to various candidates vocalizations, I believe these were Red-Shouldered Hawks. Is it fair to ID Red Shoulder Hawks by the screech alone? I know some birds do have distintive vocalizations - enough for ID purposes, but are these hawks that distinctive?

I would say yes you can. No other North American Buteo, indeed bird of prey sounds quite like a RSH. The only other raptor I've heard (on a recording) that sounds close to a Red-Shouldered Hawk is the Eurasian Buzzard.

Most of the American Buteos can be identified by voice (as can most birds). Just a qick reference (since ID-ing birds by ear is what I'm good at):
Red-Tailed Hawk has a high but harsh sounding scream.
Rough-Legged has a mellower fairly high and even pitched scream
Ferruginous is similar to Rough-Legged but more gull like when lower pitch and quivering when higher
Braod-Winged Hawk is a very high, piercing whistle.
Gray Hawk is variable with some calls sounding a lot like Rough-Legged. Others are almost singing in quality, chaning pitch and rhythmic.

Just a few examples, hopefully this will help you out a little.

 

[lockbreeze926]

The Red-Tail's call is the one that is invariably dubbed onto movie soundtracks whenever any raptor appears, particularly a Bald Eagle, for the simple reason that it sounds like a raptor "should". Film-makers are especially unwilling to play an eagle's real call, since it is a bit feeble for such an impressive bird.

 

[lvn600]

Blue Jays give a pretty good imitation of a Red-shouldered Hawk but I don't think they do it very often.

 

[AlexC]

The Red-Tail's call is the one that is invariably dubbed onto movie soundtracks whenever any raptor appears, particularly a Bald Eagle, for the simple reason that it sounds like a raptor "should". Film-makers are especially unwilling to play an eagle's real call, since it is a bit feeble for such an impressive bird.

Heh heh, maybe we should show movie-viewers a Blue Jay immitating a Red-tailed - that would change their mind about it being an "ideal raptor sound"

EDIT: AH! Larry! Mindreader!

 

[steveo]

Sounds pretty good for a red shouldered they can defintely sound like gulls.

 

[KC Foggin]

I can remember my very first hearing of the Red-shouldered and connecting them to that of a gull was my very first thought. Now that I'm inland I hear/see them all day long and I love watching them.

 

[Chris Benesh]

I've been hearing this screeching from our suburban back yard, sounding almost like a sea gull but not. Today, I finally saw who was making the noise.

A pair of hawks doing smallish circles, then sort of fake diving, one following the other - I say fake because I didn't get the sense they were really diving after something. Screeching the entire time...not one long screech, but a screech every 10 seconds or so. The screech was 2 syllables, sort of like the sound they use in movies for eagles. I was looking up into bright sky, and the only comment I can make on what they looked like is that they were light colored under wings, with dark edges on tips of wings.

After reviewing possible species in our area, and listening to various candidates vocalizations, I believe these were Red-Shouldered Hawks. Is it fair to ID Red Shoulder Hawks by the screech alone? I know some birds do have distintive vocalizations - enough for ID purposes, but are these hawks that distinctive?

Hey Debntexas,

That's an excellent description of a Red-shouldered Hawk. This link should start playing the call of Red-shouldered for you.

http://www.hangingrocktower.org/calls/red-shouldered.htm

or here if you click on the listen link within:
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/40/_/Red-shouldered_Hawk.aspx

Chris

 

[debntexas]

Excellent

Thanks everyone. I have also found an article in the local paper indicating that Feb is courtship time for these Hawks, and they are very vocal while trying to impress a mate.

 

[Gentoo]

Blue Jays give a pretty good imitation of a Red-shouldered Hawk but I don't think they do it very often.

Steller's Jays do it even better.