Species Profile
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Sharpie
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Appearance
The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a small, agile raptor with short, rounded wings and a long, square-tipped tail. Adults display blue-gray upperparts, with rufous-barred white underparts. The head is dark, often appearing hooded.
Males are notably smaller than females, a characteristic known as reverse sexual dimorphism. Juveniles have brown upperparts and streaked underparts, gradually molting into adult plumage over their first year.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Blue
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Yellow
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Yellow
Male Markings
Striped breast and belly, square-ended tail
Tail: Square-ended, with narrow white band at tip
Female Markings
Larger size compared to males, browner upperparts
Tail: Square-ended, with narrow white band at tip
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Sharp-shinned Hawks inhabit a wide range of forested areas across North and Central America. They prefer dense, mixed woodlands but can also be found in suburban areas with sufficient tree cover.
In the United States and Canada, they are widespread during the breeding season. Southern populations are often year-round residents, while northern birds migrate south for winter, reaching as far as Central America.
Distribution
Diet
Sharp-shinned Hawks primarily prey on small birds, particularly songbirds up to the size of robins. They occasionally supplement their diet with small mammals, insects, and lizards.
These hawks are skilled hunters, often ambushing their prey in mid-air or pursuing them through dense vegetation.
Behaviour
Sharp-shinned Hawks are known for their swift, agile flight through dense forests. They often employ a 'flap-flap-glide' pattern when crossing open areas.
These hawks are solitary hunters, using surprise attacks to catch small birds. During migration, they may form loose flocks, taking advantage of thermals for long-distance travel.
Calls & Sounds
Sharp-shinned Hawks are generally quiet outside the breeding season. During nesting, they produce a high-pitched, rapid 'kik-kik-kik' call, often in response to intruders.
Males may also emit a softer 'whew' sound during courtship. Their vocalizations are less frequent and less varied compared to many other hawk species.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Sharp-shinned Hawks typically begins in late spring. Males perform aerial displays to attract females, including wide circles and steep dives.
Nests are usually built in dense conifers, 20-60 feet above ground. The female lays 4-5 pale blue or white eggs with brown spots. Both parents contribute to nest construction, using twigs and bark strips.
Incubation lasts about 30-32 days, primarily done by the female. Nestlings fledge after 21-28 days but remain dependent on parents for several more weeks.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Sharp-shinned Hawks face threats from habitat loss and pesticide use. Their populations have shown some recovery since the ban of DDT.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting forest habitats and monitoring migration patterns to assess population trends.
Population
Estimated: 1,000,000 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Increasing[2]
Slow decline in population due to habitat loss
Elevation
Sea level to 3,700 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 3.5cm x 4.5cm
- Predators:
- Adult Sharp-shinned Hawks have few natural predators, but larger raptors such as Northern Goshawks and Great Horned Owls may prey on them. Eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to raccoons, crows, and other tree-climbing predators.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, high-pitched shriek
- Breeding age:
- 1
- Maturity age:
- 1
- Feeding times:
- Most active in the early morning and late afternoon
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, collisions with windows
- Parental care:
- Both parents feed chicks, with females incubating and male feeding the female
- Primary calls:
- High-pitched, repeated 'keek'
- Social habits:
- Solitary, except during breeding season
- Egg appearance:
- White with brown spots
- Feeding habits:
- Catches prey in flight or on the ground
- Breeding season:
- Spring
- Diet variations:
- May take larger prey during breeding season
- Fledging period:
- 4-5 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 3
- Call description:
- Rapid, high-pitched calls, often in flight
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, primarily in the morning and late afternoon
- Nesting location:
- In trees, often reusing old nests
- Number of broods:
- One
- Incubation period:
- About 30 days
- Nest construction:
- Stick nest lined with bark and leaves
- Migration patterns:
- Migrates to lower elevations or latitudes in winter
- Migratory patterns:
- Some populations migrate, others are residents
- Age related changes:
- Adult plumage acquired in first year
- Prey capture method:
- Stealth and surprise
- Conservation efforts:
- Habitat protection, public education about window collisions
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends feeding and nesting territories
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, often returning to same nesting site
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 3-5 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Usually avoids interaction with other birds
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them near bird feeders, where they hunt small songbirds
- Observe their distinctive rapid wingbeats followed by short glides
- In flight, note their small size and square-tipped tail
- During migration, watch for them at hawk watch sites
Did You Know?
- Sharp-shinned Hawks can catch birds in mid-air, demonstrating remarkable agility.
- They are the smallest hawk species in North America.
- These hawks play a role in controlling songbird populations in their ecosystems.
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