sharp shinned hawk
1. Bird Name
The bird in focus is the Sharp-Shinned Hawk. The scientific name for this species is Accipiter striatus.
2. Appearance
Sharp-Shinned Hawks are small raptors with a blue-gray back, wings, and tail. Their underparts are white with rust-colored horizontal bars. Their long, slim legs are of an orange-yellow color, similar to their small hooked beak. Young sharp-shinned hawks have yellowish-brown eyes, which mature to a deep red in adult hawks. Unlike most birds, female sharp-shinned hawks are larger than males and have lighter-colored feathering. Females also have more rounded tails compared to males, which have more square-shaped tails.
3. Size
Sharp-Shinned Hawks are among the smallest hawks, with an average length of 24 to 35 cm or 9.5 to 14 inches. Their wingspan can reach between 42 and 68 cm (16 to 27 inches). In terms of weight, they range significantly between sexes, with males typically weighing between 87 and 114 grams and females weighing between 150 and 218 grams.
4. Habitat & Distribution
This bird species is native to the Americas, found from Alaska and Canada to Panama. They prefer dense deciduous and mixed forests, especially during nesting times, and can be found also in forest edges, suburban areas, and occasionally wide-open spaces. During migration, they are seen in diverse habitats, including open country.
5. Interesting Facts
Interestingly, despite their small size, Sharp-Shinned Hawks are fearless and can take down birds larger than themselves. Also, during courtship, males perform a ‘sky-dance,’ which involves repeated cycles of high circling, steep dives, and undulating flights. Their name ‘sharp-shinned’ is derived from their slim, almost blade-like lower legs.
6. Diet
The Sharp-Shinned Hawk primarily feeds on small birds and some small mammals. They are agile hunters, using the element of surprise to ambush their prey, often around bird feeders.
7. Behavior & Sounds
These birds are shy and elusive, often stealthily maneuvering through dense woods. They usually fly with rapid wing beats and brief periods of gliding. Their call is a high-pitched “kik-kik-kik”.
8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Sharp-Shinned Hawk is currently categorized as Least Concern. However, habitat loss and pesticides can still pose threats to their population.
9. Lifespan
In the wild, Sharp-Shinned Hawks have a typical lifespan of up to 7 years, although some individuals have been recorded living up to 19 years. Lifespan in captivity can extend, although precise data are not readily available.
10. Additional Notes
Sharp-Shinned Hawks are known locally as ‘Épervier brun’ in French and ‘Gavilán pollero’ in Spanish. Despite their predatory behavior, they also play significant roles in their ecosystems by helping control the population of small birds and mammals. As predators, they influence the behavior, distribution, and abundance of their prey species. They are also indicators of ecosystem health due to their sensitivity to environmental changes.
In terms of interaction with humans, they are generally unobtrusive due to their shy and elusive nature. However, they can become persistent visitors at bird feeders, waiting to snatch unsuspecting feeding birds.
