Sharp-Shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
- HABITAT - Sharp-shinned Hawks are common in woodland areas and open lowlands throughout the United States, southern and western Canada, Mexico, and Central America. They can also be found in urban and suburban parks. Northern sharp-shinned hawk populations will migrate to the south for winter.
- DIET - Sharp-shinned Hawks eat small prey, including mice and other small mammals, as well as small birds such as sparrows, warblers and finches. They will also attack nestling and other young birds before they grow too large.
- They hunt mostly by perching inside foliage and waiting for small birds to approach, surprising their prey on the wing by bursting out from a hidden perch with a rush of speed. They will also make short, close flights over bushes or dense brush to startle small birds into flight to be easier to catch.
- FACTS - They are easily confused with the very similar Cooper's Hawk. Sharp-shinned Hawks are notably smaller. Sharpies have narrow hips and proportionally larger heads than the Cooper's, and sharp-shinned hawks also have thinner legs. Sharp-shinned hawk's tail are squared and Cooper's Hawks have notably rounded tails.
Sharp-shinned Hawk GALLERY
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