In flight, this hawk shows a pale crescent on the outer portion of the wing toward the tip.
Adults have reddish-colored shoulders.
Immature birds are brown, with brown streaks along their breasts and the tail pattern is less distinct than in adults. Red-shouldered Hawks are found as far north as Manitoba and New Brunswick, and south to the Gulf Coast. The Florida subspecies is endemic to Florida and the Keys and is usually found in moist woodlands and borders of swamps. The birds construct well-made cupped nests of sticks and twigs, lined with bark, mosses, leaves, feathers and down. The female typically lays 2 brown-blotched eggs, which are incubated by both the male and female for 28 days.