Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
The Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) is a common kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 28 countries, weighing about 131 g. The sharp-shinned hawk or northern sharp-shinned hawk, colloquially often nicknamed sharpie, is a small hawk, with males being the smallest hawks in the United States and Canada, but with the species averaging larger than some Neotropical species, such as the tiny hawk.
About the Sharp-shinned Hawk
The sharp-shinned hawk or northern sharp-shinned hawk, colloquially often nicknamed sharpie, is a small hawk, with males being the smallest hawks in the United States and Canada, but with the species averaging larger than some Neotropical species, such as the tiny hawk. The taxonomy is far from resolved, with some authorities considering the southern taxa to represent three separate species, white-breasted hawk, plain-breasted hawk, and rufous-thighed hawk. The American Ornithological Society and some other checklists keep all four species conspecific. A recent genetic study additionally recommended splitting the three Caribbean island populations as three additional separate species,…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This is a small Accipiter hawk, with males 23 to 30 cm (9.1 to 11.8 in) long, with a wingspan of 42 to 58 cm (17 to 23 in) and weight from 82–115 g (2.9–4.1 oz). As common in Accipiter hawks, females are distinctly larger in size, averaging some 30% longer, and with a weight advantage of more than 50% being common. The female measures 29 to 37 cm (11 to 15 in) in length, has a wingspan of 58 to 68 cm (23 to 27 in) and weighs 150 to 219 g (5.3 to 7.7 oz). The wings measure 14.1–22.9 cm (5.6–9.0 in) each, the tail is 12–19 cm (4.7–7.5 in) long and the tarsus is 4.5–5.9 cm (1.8–2.3 in).
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Guyana.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Sharp-shinned Hawk?
- This is a small Accipiter hawk, with males 23 to 30 cm (9.1 to 11.8 in) long, with a wingspan of 42 to 58 cm (17 to 23 in) and weight from 82–115 g (2.9–4.1 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Sharp-shinned Hawk?
- The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a medium sized bird weighing about 131 g.
- Where can you see a Sharp-shinned Hawk?
- The Sharp-shinned Hawk occurs in 28 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Colombia.
- What birds look similar to a Sharp-shinned Hawk?
- The Sharp-shinned Hawk is most easily confused with the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, the Ovambo Sparrowhawk and the Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk.
- Is the Sharp-shinned Hawk endangered?
- The Sharp-shinned Hawk is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Sharp-shinned Hawk for real
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