I have posted photos of the Red-shouldered Hawk perched and in flight (as well as a look-a-like juv Red-tailed Hawk), at the Poudre River trail east of Hwy 257, from yesterday, 7 Jan 2010. To view photos, click on this link: http://www.pbase.com/quetzal/rsha01072010. Apparently this bird was first reported several days ago so it seems loyal to its hunting territory along a quarter-mile stretch of river from the highway bridge to the east. There were a handful of Red-tails in the same stretch, and one (also photographed) not only looks like a Red-shouldered juv, but also perched on a wire like Red-shouldered Hawks often do. However, it seemed enormous compared to the RSHA. The Sibley guide shows average Red-tail only 10-12% greater in length compared to Red-shoulder but twice the mass! More discussion on this odd Red-tail on the website.
Andrews and Righter cite only one previous record of Red-shouldered Hawk for Weld County (Colorado Birds, 1992), and lists its winter status in Colorado as very rare. Nick Komar Fort Collins CO
