Sorry, I would've given you some ID points if I wasn't so bad at explaining! What I usually look at is the compact shape and the muted reddish-brown barring on the breast and belly (on adults). They also have a pretty unique face, but I can't explain why. Eastern Red-taileds are bulkier and have a band of vertical streaks across the belly with a white breast. Red-shouldered Hawks have black and white checkered patterns on the wings, lighter heads, and orange barring on the breast and belly.