Kites, Hawks, Eagles

Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus

Family Accipitridae (Kites, Hawks, Eagles)

Size: 10"–14"; female larger than male

Season: Year-round

Habitat: Woodlands, bushy areas

The sharp-shinned hawk is North America’s smallest accipiter, with a longish, squared tail and stubby, rounded wings. Its short wings allow for agile flight in tight, wooded quarters, where it quickly attacks small birds in flight. Its upperparts are grayish, while below it is light and barred with pale-rufous stripes. The eyes are set forward on the face to aid in the direct pursuit of prey. The juvenile has white underparts streaked with brown. The sharp-shinned hawk may be confused with the larger Cooper’s hawk, which has a more rounded tail. The adult is illustrated.