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Mass Audubon State of the Birds

Find a Bird

Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus

The Red-shouldered Hawk is a species that seems to be adjusting well to the spread of suburbia, especially as young, moist forests grow to maturity. It is currently fairly widespread as a breeder in Massachusetts.
Conservation Status
No Action - Strong Increase

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Least Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.54
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.52
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
-0.02
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
15.20
National Audubon Societyb
n/a
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
181
Atlas II Blocks
409
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
19
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
39
Percent change
195

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
5%
P-value
not significant
Number of routes
15
Recent trend 2000-2010
3.9%

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
2.5
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1963-1979)
-9.8
Significantly different than zero
yes
Trend (1979-2008)
5.1
Significantly different than zero
yes
Christmas Bird Count Sightings By Year
Data reflects sightings per person per hour in order to account for varying numbers of yearly volunteers.

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Forested Wetland, Open Freshwater Marsh, Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds, Urban and Suburban

Wintering

Forested Wetland

Climate Suitability Current and 2050