Editor’s Note: The Red-shouldered Hawk is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
An adult Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) was recently admitted to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) after being found on the ground with injuries consistent with trauma.
During the initial examination, CROW’s veterinary team identified bruising and swelling along the inner portion of the hawk’s left shoulder and hip, as well as the inner side of its right foot.
Despite these findings, no open wounds or fractures were identified. The team also observed mild inflammation and blood within the eyes, a condition known as hyphema.
The hawk received supportive care, including systemic and topical ophthalmic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to manage pain and reduce inflammation. The bird responded well to treatment and all clinical signs were resolved.
After assessing the hawk’s flight ability and conditioning, CROW’s team cleared the hawk for release back into the wild.
About Red-shouldered Hawks
Red-shouldered Hawks are medium-sized birds of prey recognized by their reddish shoulders, rust-colored barred chests, and distinctive black-and-white banded tails. They are commonly found in forests, wooded wetlands, and swamps, especially near water.
Their diets consist of small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and large insects. They often perch quietly in trees, watching for prey below before swooping down to catch it.
Red-shouldered Hawks are widely distributed throughout the eastern United States, and Florida populations are generally present year-round. Like other native hawks, they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Populations are generally stable or increasing across much of North America, although regional declines have occurred. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation remain significant threats, particularly in mature forests and wetland ecosystems that provide essential nesting and hunting habitat.
Conservation efforts focused on protecting forests and wetlands are important for maintaining healthy Red-shouldered Hawk populations and supporting the long-term survival of this species.
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