May 6, 2026

I am known as a Red-shouldered Hawk

I am Dee's 4000th iNaturalist observation,

We encourage you to learn iNaturalist yourself

Observation greatly helps conservation!

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: Dee's video series about how to use iNaturalist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw7UG4BcJDK3fhZ7G7rLaO6-jgju5P8Rc

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 6, 2025

I am a female Red-shouldered Hawk

Appearing to be lost deep in thought

In reality I'm tired and thinking about lunch

Hoping it's slow enough to be easily caught.

Location: Teague Hammock Preserve, Port St. Lucie, FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

March 2, 2024

I am known as Red-shouldered Hawk

I own Wetlands Boulevard

Although I am smaller than Red-tailed Hawks

I am still held in high regard. 

Location:  Orlando Wetlands Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/id

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

February 8, 2023

It is not often obvious

Why my name is "Red-shouldered Hawk"

But I thought I would show off today

Since Dee took the time to stop by and talk.

Location: Bluefield Ranch Preserve, St. Lucie County

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/raptors-and-vultures/red-shouldered-hawk/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 12, 2023

I am known as a Red-shouldered Hawk,

Staring down from my perch, so high and mighty

Just make sure you don't stand under my nest when I have young -

They shoot poop over the edge and do not wear tighty-whities.          

Location: City of Cocoa

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/overview

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 14, 2022

I am known as a Red-shouldered Hawk

I live in deciduous forests and swamps

Habitat loss, pollution, and logging are

Causing the number of my species to drop.

Location: Paleo Hammock Conservation Area, St. Lucie County

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Buteo_lineatus/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 8, 2022

I am known as a Red-shouldered Hawk

You caught me right in the middle of grooming

Right now I'm just feathers all twisted about

I'm really more handsome and much less confusing.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/overview

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 24, 2021

We are both known as Red-shouldered Hawks

Though our sizes and shapes can differ

Depending on genetics, location and age

We might be darker or lighter or bigger. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/photo-gallery

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 5, 2021

I am known as a Red-shouldered Hawk,

If I breed in Florida, I stay there. 

If I breed in Canada or the northeast US

I vacation in Mexico every year.   

Location: Kissimmee Prairie State Park

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Buteo_lineatus/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 14, 2021

I am known as a Red-shouldered Hawk

How red my shoulder is can be quite variable

I am a female, I'm larger than males

Which makes me good marriage material.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Buteo_lineatus/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 13, 2021

I am known as Red-shouldered Hawk

You can see the red patch here on my shoulder

When I'm younger my feathers are just brown and white

I've got red and black feathers too now that I'm older.

Location: T.M. Goodwin Wildfowl Management Area

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/id

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 7, 2021

I am known as a Red-shouldered Hawk, 

Compare me to to yesterday's Coopers. 

My tail is nowhere as long as his, 

And he is better at fancy flight maneuvers.

Location: West Cocoa

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/species-compare/60324921

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 7, 2020

Special Video Edition!

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road

Video and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 14, 2020

Location: Lake Poinsett, Cocoa

I am known as a Red-shouldered Hawk
I make a loud screech that you might have heard.
I have a hooked beak, and big, taloned feet
You might say I'm a buteo-ful bird.

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Red-shouldered Hawk

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 30, 2019

Location: Titusville, Chain of Lakes Park

I'm known as a Mole Cricket
I have a sneaking hunch
That the Red-shouldered Hawk had bad intentions
When he invited me home for lunch.

(Click to enlarge the photo and check out the hawk's beak. I had no idea that hawks eat bugs!)

Well, now I'm inside his tummy
You think he's tough - but I've heard the rumors
Underneath that bird of prey exterior
He's wearing fluffy white bloomers.

Sources: American Bird Conservancy - Red-shouldered Hawk
UF | IFAS Featured Creatures - Mole Crickets

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 31, 2017

Location: Fellsmere, Louisianna Ave

Second year Red-shouldered Hawk.

My honeybee and I are doing a "Hawk Talk" up in Brevard county tomorrow for an art class. I had some super awesome (if I do say so myself) hawk photos that I am including in the presentation. But on my morning walk today, I came across this amazing second year bird. He was watching birds and I don't think he even knew I was there taking pictures. I'm going to add this our presentation as it's a fantastic contrast with the adult bird I already have in the presentation.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson