Buteo lineatus

Buteo lineatus, the Red-shouldered Hawk. A common, but striking bird to find, especially at close range.

This one was in my yard this afternoon. It flew up into our old "climbing tree," a big sprawling camphor, and sat there preening its feathers for about a minute.

I took few pictures before it raised its tail, pooped, and then flew off out of sight. :-) That's Buteo lineatus for you, the Red-shouldered Hawk.

Happy birding!