Sharp-shinned Hawk

About

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a small, agile raptor of the genus Accipiter, known for its short, rounded wings and long tail, adapted for maneuvering through dense vegetation. It is a fierce predator of small birds, often seen darting through forests and suburban areas in pursuit of prey. It is the smallest hawk in North America.

Size & lifespan

Length

23-34 cm (9-13 in)

Wingspan

51-64 cm (20-25 in)

Weight

82-218 g (2.9-7.7 oz)

Lifespan

Up to 10 years in the wild, typically 3-5 years

Diet

Carnivore (primarily small birds, occasionally small mammals, insects, or reptiles)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults have slate-blue to bluish-gray upperparts, with rufous barring on the underparts. The tail is dark with 3-4 broad black bands and a narrow white tip. Juveniles are brown above with streaky brown underparts, often with a buffy wash. The tail is similar to adults but browner.

Beak shape

Short, sharply hooked, dark gray to black with a yellow cere.

Eye color

Adults have dark red to reddish-orange eyes. Juveniles have bright yellow eyes, which gradually darken with age.

Leg color

Long, slender yellow legs and feet with sharp black talons.

Distinguishing features

Small size, short rounded wings, long square-tipped tail (often notched when worn), and rapid, agile flight. The head often appears small relative to the body. The tarsi (lower legs) are noticeably thin, giving rise to its common name.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles have brown upperparts, often with rufous feather edgings, and heavily streaked underparts (brown streaks on a white or buff background). Their eyes are yellow, contrasting with the adult's red eyes.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes, though plumage can become worn and faded by the end of the breeding season before molting.

Sexual dimorphism

Females are significantly larger than males, sometimes by as much as 50% in weight and 25% in length. Plumage is similar between sexes, though females may be slightly duller.

How to identify

1. 1

   Size and Shape

   Look for a very small hawk with short, rounded wings and a long, square-tipped tail. The head often appears small and barely extends beyond the wings in flight.

2. 2

   Flight Pattern

   Observe its characteristic 'flap-flap-glide' flight. When hunting, it's incredibly agile, darting and weaving through dense cover.

3. 3

   Plumage (Adult)

   Adults have slate-blue backs and rufous-barred underparts. The tail has dark bands and a narrow white tip. Red eyes are a key adult feature.

4. 4

   Plumage (Juvenile)

   Juveniles are brown-backed with heavy brown streaking on the underparts and bright yellow eyes.

5. 5

   Legs

   Note the very thin, 'sharp' tarsi (lower legs), which are a good distinguishing feature from Cooper's Hawks, especially in good views.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Forests (coniferous, deciduous, mixed), woodlands, suburban areas, parks, and riparian corridors.

Geographic range

Breeds across North America, from Alaska and Canada south through the United States and into Mexico. Winters from southern Canada and the United States south through Central America and into northern South America.

Elevation range

Sea level up to 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) in some mountainous regions.

Preferred environments

Dense forests for nesting and hunting, often near forest edges or clearings. During migration and winter, they can be found in a wider variety of wooded habitats, including suburban backyards with feeders.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal.

Feeding habits

A highly skilled aerial predator, it hunts by perching inconspicuously within dense cover and making swift, surprise attacks on small birds. It also hunts by flying low and fast through vegetation, flushing prey. Prey is typically caught in flight or snatched from branches. They pluck feathers from prey before consumption.

Social behavior

Generally solitary outside of the breeding season. During breeding, pairs form and are monogamous for the season. They are highly territorial around their nest site.

Flight pattern

Characterized by a distinctive 'flap-flap-glide' flight pattern. When hunting, flight is rapid, agile, and highly maneuverable, often weaving through trees. Soaring is less common than in larger raptors.

Migration pattern

Most populations are migratory, moving south for the winter. Northern populations undertake long-distance migrations, while southern populations may be resident or undertake shorter-distance movements. They migrate during the day, often along ridgelines and coastlines.

Territoriality

Highly territorial during the breeding season, defending a nesting territory from other raptors and potential predators. They will aggressively chase away intruders.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically April to July, with peak activity in May and June.

Nesting habits

Nests are usually built in dense coniferous or mixed forests, often close to the trunk of a tall tree (pine, spruce, fir). The nest is a bulky platform of sticks, lined with bark strips, moss, and sometimes fresh conifer sprigs. Both sexes contribute to nest building, but the female does most of the incubation.

Clutch size

3-8 eggs, typically 4-5.

Egg description

Typically 4-5 eggs, sometimes 3-8. Eggs are dull white or pale bluish-white, often lightly marked with pale brown or reddish-brown spots or blotches.

Incubation period

30-35 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

21-27 days after hatching. Young remain dependent on parents for several weeks after fledging.

Parental care

Both parents care for the young. The male provides most of the food during incubation and early nestling stages, while the female incubates and broods. Both parents feed the young after hatching.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Watch Bird Feeders. Sharp-shinned Hawks are notorious for ambushing birds at feeders. If songbirds suddenly scatter, look for a small, fast-moving hawk.
2. Scan Forest Edges. They often perch inconspicuously within dense foliage at forest edges, waiting for prey. Look for a small silhouette or movement.
3. Learn Flight Patterns. Distinguishing from Cooper's Hawks often comes down to subtle differences in flight and body proportions. Practice identifying the 'flap-flap-glide' and the head projection relative to the wings.
4. Listen for Alarm Calls. The alarm calls of smaller birds (chickadees, titmice, jays) can often alert you to the presence of a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Similar species

Quick facts

Smallest North American Hawk:

Indeed the smallest hawk species found in North America.

Diet Specialization:

Highly specialized in hunting small birds.

Sexual Size Dimorphism:

Females are considerably larger than males.

Migration:

Most populations are migratory, undertaking long journeys.

Fun facts

• The Sharp-shinned Hawk's name comes from its noticeably thin, 'sharp' tarsi (lower legs), which are a key identification feature.
• Despite its small size, it is an incredibly fierce and effective predator, capable of taking down prey larger than itself.
• During migration, Sharp-shinned Hawks can be seen in large numbers at hawk watches, sometimes thousands in a single day.
• They are sometimes called 'little blue darters' due to their adult plumage and agile flight through dense cover.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Accipitriformes

Family

Accipitridae

Genus

Accipiter

Species

Accipiter striatus

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