Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk Information
Length: 10 - 14"
Habitat:
The Sharp-shinned Hawk inhabits coniferous or mixed forests, forest openings, forest edges, and open woodlands near brushy areas.
Diet:
The diet of the Sharp-shinned Hawk consists mostly of small birds (especially, songbirds), including sparrows, finches, and warblers, as well as some medium-sized birds. It also preys on small mammals such as mice, shrews, and voles.
Calls of the Sharp-shinned Hawk
Additional Information
Sharp-shinned HawkPhotos, identifying characteristics, range, habitat, nesting, feeding habits, and conservation status of Sharp-shinned Hawk. (From the Raptor Center)
Sharp-shinned Hawk
©By Ilona Loser [CC-BY-SA- 3.0]
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Identification Tips
- Wingspan: 21 inches
- Sexes similar, but females much larger
- Small, broad-winged, long-tailed hawk
- Short, dark, hooked beak
- Long, narrow tarsi
- Short, rounded wings
- Long tail is squared-off at tip with prominent corners
- Typically flies with several quick snappy wingbeats and a short glide, but also soars
- Small rounded head does not project far beyond wings when soaring
Adult
- Red eye
- Black cap
- Blue-gray back and upperwings
- White breast, belly and underwing coverts marked by fine, thin, reddish bars
- White undertail coverts
- Tail, blue gray above and pale below, barred with black bands
- Flight feathers, blue-gray above and pale below, with dark bars
(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Breeding Bird Survey Map,
2011-2015
(Image credit: USGS)
This hawk is difficult to locate during breeding season, so its range is underrepresented
on the above map.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Range Maps from Cornell
Sharp-shinned Hawk breeding, year-round, and nonbreeding range
Includes separate map of sightings.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Christmas Bird Count Map
Historical CBC Map from USGS