Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 9.4–13.4 in
24–34 cm - Wingspan
- 16.9–22 in
43–56 cm - Weight
- 3.1–7.7 oz
87–218 g
Other Names
- Épervier brun (French)
- Gavilán pajarero (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- After the young leave the nest, the adults pass food to the young in mid-air. The parents give the prize to the first young hawk to reach them, hovering briefly and kicking the prey outward just as the fledgling arrives.
- Sharp-shinned Hawk numbers declined during the DDT pesticide years (mid-1940s to 1972), but rebounded after DDT was banned.
- Sharp-shinned Hawks migrate south out of Canada in the fall and are observed at hawk watches in very large numbers. The hawks follow similar landscape features and often are concentrated in certain areas. Over 11,000 Sharp-shinned Hawks were seen on one October day at Cape May Point, New Jersey.
- The habit of hunting around bird feeders has been suggested as an explanation for the decrease in numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks seen at eastern hawk watches. Fewer hawks may be migrating south, preferring instead to stay farther north near a dependable food source: feeder birds.
Habitat
Forest
- Nests in forests, usually with conifers.
- Generally not present in small woodlots and open areas.
- Winters in larger variety of habitats, including urban and suburban areas.
Food
Birds
Mostly small birds; some large insects and small mammals.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Clutch Size
- 3–8 eggs
- Egg Description
- White to bluish white, some marked with splotches of brown.
- Condition at Hatching
- Covered in white down, with eyes open.
Nest Description
Nest a substantial platform of large, often fresh, twigs broken from conifer branches, placed on horizontal limb in dense tree at a height of 6 - 18 meters (20 - 60 feet). Center lined with bark chips. Nests built in mature trees against trunk, supported by one or more large branches and generally shaded from above. Males may show a high degree of territory fidelity, with several old nests located within a small area. Males assist in building the nest. Old nests of Cooper's Hawks, crows, and other species may be refurbished and reused.
Nest Placement
Tree
Behavior
Aerial Dive
Both males and females may engage in "slow flight" territorial displays in which the birds fly with stiff, slow, exaggerated wing beats while exposing white undertail coverts. Both sexes may give the "kik-kik-kik" call during these flights. Captures birds from low, stealthy approach-flight or after a short chase. Uses cover, including man-made structures, to conceal approach. Captures birds at bird feeders.
Conservation
Least Concern
The Sharp-shinned Hawk is listed as a species of concern in several states and provinces. Although migration-count data have indicated a decline in populations, breeding survey data indicate an increase. Like most raptors, this species is poorly monitored and its precise habitat requirements are poorly known. In particular, understanding its sensitivity to forest fragmentation and various land-use practices will be important for conserving future populations.
Credits
- Bildstein, K. L., and K. Meyer. 2000. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus). In The Birds of North America, No. 482 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.