ed-Shouldered Hawk
This bird is native to North America but is not a traditional bird in falconry as it does not exist in the wild in Europe. It is also not terribly common as the versatile Red-Tail is far more available and adaptable.
Plumage
The Red-Shouldered Hawk has patches of red on the wrists giving the appearance of red shoulders and, hence, the name. These colorations become more marked in the adult birds than they are in the immature. The breast is barred with reddish-brown and the bird has a brown tail with white bands.
Hunting
Typical quarry caught with the Red-Shouldered Hawk are small rodents and rabbits. This bird also eats lizards and snakes in the wild.
Trivia
Commonly mistaken for a Red-Tailed hawk. This bird has also been called the Red-Shouldered Buzzard, Red-bellied Hawk, and the Winter Hawk.
When nesting and caring for chicks, the Red Shouldered Hawk is known for its aggression towards intruders. Typically the male is the aggressor, but these birds are known to defend their chicks ferociously.
This bird is mostly found in the Eastern US, and is thought to be on the decline.
Links
http://www.nenature.com/IDTips/red-shouldered-hawk-idtips.htm
http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/rs_hawk.php