Birds of Inwood

I fell in love this morning on my walk over to the Hudson River.

I was walking very slowly on the sloped path leading up to the Henry Hudson Bridge. The path was a little icy, still covered with recent snow, and I was careful with every step. My intention was to see the Bald Eagles or any other birds gathered on the ice floes along the river. The eagles have been bountiful this year.

As I glanced over to the Harlem River, I caught sight of a beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a tree above. Its rufous coloring and distinctive markings stopped me in my tracks. Readers of Birds of Inwood know I report a lot of Red-tailed Hawk sightings, but rarely do I see a Red-shouldered Hawk. I was lucky to see one so close.

This hawk was beautiful in every way. It possessed a zen-like quality, slowly turning its gaze at objects in the distance.

I was able to admire everything about it – its distinctive crescent markings on the outer wings, the checkerboard feather patterns, and those strong red “shoulders.” The rufous barring of its breast and belly was particularly impressive on this bulky and apparently well-fed hawk.

After bidding goodbye, I begrudgingly moved on with my slow and plodding walk, still determined to reach the Hudson side of Inwood Hill Park.

I will soon share more about eagles and ice floes and the spectacle of a frozen Hudson River, but in the meantime, I am sending you the sights of a Red-shouldered Hawk. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cover: Red-shouldered Hawk. Inwood Hill Park. NYC. February 14, 2026. 8:08 a.m.

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February Sightings

See the February 2026 sightings page for more pictures.

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