Ian Cruickshank and Ronald Melcer Jr.
Rocky Point Bird Observatory, c/o 954A Queens Avenue, Victoria, B.C. V8T 1M6; e-mail: ian.cruickshank@telus.net
Abstract: The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is currently undergoing range expansion in western North America. In this paper, we briefly review records of the western subspecies of the Red-shouldered Hawk (B. l. elegans) in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. We also provide details of a sight record of an adult elegans subspecies Red-shouldered Hawk at Rocky Point Bird Observatory during fall migration 2009. Red-shouldered Hawk has occupied suitable habitats year-round in Oregon for over 30 years. In Washington, it has been of annual occurrence since the early 1990’s; however, breeding has not been confirmed as of 2010. With the observed northward range expansion of the western subspecies, including documentation of breeding in Oregon and an increase in records from adjacent Washington, observations of this species in British Columbia may increase in frequency. In consideration of the fall 2009 observation, we suggest that the status of this species be elevated to “accidental” in British Columbia.
Key words: Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo lineatus, British Columbia, range expansion
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