Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Named after the flattened thin leg shanks, the Sharp-shinned Hawk usually is found in dense woods except in winter and during migration.  Showing strong migratory behavior, large numbers can sometimes be seen along coastlines and ridgelines as they move south in the fall.  The Sharp-shinned is the smallest of the "Accipiter" hawks.  A young bird is shown in the photo to the right.

Habitat: Generally avoids open country, preferring forest land ranging from dense to semi-open.  Usually nests in conifer stands found in mixed forests.  Can sometimes be found in urban areas in winter as it feeds on birds attracted to feeders.

Diet: Primarily feeds on small birds.  Will also feed on small mammals, snakes, lizards, frogs, and insects.

Behavior: Sharp-shinned Hawks often hunt by observing from a partially obscured perch, waiting for prey to appear, or by taking prey by surprise as it flies through cover.  They are incredibly swift and acrobatic in pursuing and catching prey in flight.  Increasingly, Sharp-shinned Hawks have learned to hunt around feeders, especially in winter, taking advantage of the sometimes unnatural concentration of small prey species. 

Nesting: May through July.  The nest of a Sharp-shinned Hawk is a platform of sticks, lined with bits of grass, smaller twigs, and bark.  The female usually lays 4 or 5 eggs, and she alone incubates them, with the male bringing her food during the incubation period.  When the eggs hatch, the male initially brings food to the young while the female stays with the young.  After about 2 weeks, both parents help to feed the young.  The young fledge after about 6 weeks.

Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Sharp-shinned Hawk song 

Migration: Most are migratory, except for some permanent residents throughout parts of the west and in the Appalachians. Summers in Canada, the northern U.S., and higher elevations of the West and in the Appalachians.  Winters throughout much of the southern 2/3rds of the U.S. and south through Mexico and Central America.

Similar Species: Cooper's Hawk.  Juvenile Northern Goshawk could also be mistaken for a Sharp-shinned Hawk, although there's a very substantial size differential.

Conservation Status: Numbers declined in the mid 20th century due to effects of pesticides, but began to bounce back by the 1980s.  Recent trends again show serious declines in some locations.  However, they still have a very wide geographic range, are common in some areas, and are increasing in number in some areas.  The IUCN lists the Sharp-shinned Hawk as a species of "Least Concern".

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Sharp-shinned Hawk

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Sharp-shinned Hawk"

3) eNature.com: Sharp-shinned Hawk

Photo Information: November 18th, 2006 - "Sherriff Dam", southwest of Pierre - Terry L. Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Sharp-shinned Hawk photos.