Red-shouldered Hawk Calls (includes AUDIO)
Below, you will learn the most common call that a Red-shouldered Hawk makes. These beautiful raptors are very vocal every spring. They are so loud that most people hear them before seeing them.
Red-shouldered Hawk Calls:
- Make sure to press PLAY on the audio files below. 🙂
Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus) are fairly easy to identify by sound. Listen for a LOUD “kee-ahh,” with the second note descending in pitch. The “kee-aah” call is often repeated. It is loud and can be heard from many miles away.
Naturally, these hawks are forest dwellers, but they are also common in suburban areas where houses have been mixed into woodlands. I see Red-shouldered Hawks often in my backyard, hunting near my bird feeders, especially during winter!
Red-shouldered Hawks are most often heard between April and June during the breeding season. They use their calls to attract females and defend territory. These raptors are common in the eastern half of North America. Interestingly, there is also a population that lives on the west coast.
Watch the short video below for more examples of calls and sounds from a Red-shouldered Hawk.

Have you heard the calls and sounds of a Red-shouldered Hawk before?
If so, please let us know below!