SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
Accipiter striatus
Notable Physical Characteristics - Size - Habitat - Nesting - Hunting
Behavior - Call - Additional Information - Resources
Notable Physical Characteristics
Slender
Short, rounded wings
Long, narrow tail
Short, square tail
Underparts, wings, and tail a bluish-gray
Tail crossed with 3-5 slate bands
Barred underparts
Small Hawk
Length: 11”
Wingspan: 23”
Weight: 5 oz.
(Females slightly larger than males)
Ranges throughout North America and the western Caribbean
Mainly breed in deciduous, coniferous, and mixed pine-hardwood forests
Nests in most forest types, but prefer forests with some conifers
Clutch size: 4 or 5 eggs
Incubation period: 30-35 days
Incubation by female
Very secretive hunter, relies on surprise
Attacks flying or perched prey
Preys upon small birds, small mammals, and large insects
Will stop chase if prey isn’t caught relatively quickly
Crisp, rapid wingbeats
Rarely walks on the ground
Highly territorial when breeding
Nest defended by female
Sharp, kiw kiw kiw
High, keeeeeep
Referred to as “the enemy of all small birds” since it feeds almost entirely on small birds
Sharp-Shinned and Cooper’s are often mistaken for one another, but the Sharp-Shinned is considerably smaller than the Cooper’s
Adults and young are vulnerable to other larger raptors