A Visitor at my House

I came home the other day and spied a rather large bird sitting on the rail to my back deck but he took off almost at once so I did not get a great look. Well today he landed in a tree at the backend of the property and I was able to get a few photos. He or She is a rather large bird and at first I was thinking it was a red tail hawk but now I’m not so sure.
The coloration of the breast area is more reddish and there does not appear to be any red in the tail feathers at all.

My research suggests that this is a Red-Shouldered Hawk but I’m certainly not very experienced with identifying birds. I know I have some readers that have a lot more experience at this then I so please tell me what kind of bird this is. If it’s a Red- shouldered I think its one that you don’t see very often because the numbers are low as well as it’s a more secretive bird.
I think I also now have a good idea where the mourning doves that use to clean up the spilled seed on my deck from the bird feeder have gone.

This photo is real blurry from when it took flight, but you can make out some of the coloration.

NC Wildlife write up about Red-shouldered Hawk

Carolina Raptor Center

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