Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Also known as:Sharpy

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

25-36 cm (10-14") Fairly common and widespread. Mixed woodlands; in winter near bird feeders.

Smallest accipiter, pigeon-sized. Slim-bodied hawk; slaty gray above; barred rusty and white below; red eyes. Flies with quick flaps mixed with glides on short rounded wings. Tail long and square or lightly notched.

Feeds mostly on small birds caught in midair. Immature is brown above; streaked below; yellow eyes.

Song: rapid "kik-kik-kik-kik".

Watch and learn

Videos

4 videos

Coopers Hawk (Juvenile) in the Comox Valley

Credit: Edward Homer

HD Sharp-Shinned Hawk closeup intense california wildlife suisun vallejo benicia

Credit: Sport Cards Brass Trains VideoGames

Juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk

Credit: SmithsonianMBC

Identifying Raptors

Credit: petersonfieldguides

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 4 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

2 rules

Rule 1 10 criteria confidence 6

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
Did it have a bold dark sideburn or mustache mark on the face?: No · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:414-sharp-shinned-hawk:1:1 Source: 414 Sharp-shinned Hawk, row 1

Rule 2 11 criteria confidence 6

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Spotted or mottled · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
Did it have a bold dark sideburn or mustache mark on the face?: No · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:414-sharp-shinned-hawk:2:1 Source: 414 Sharp-shinned Hawk, row 2

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Immature)

2 rules

Rule 1 11 criteria confidence 6

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
Did it have a bold dark sideburn or mustache mark on the face?: No · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:415-sharp-shinned-hawk-immature:1:1 Source: 415 Sharp-shinned Hawk (Immature), row 1

Rule 2 10 criteria confidence 6

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
Did it have a bold dark sideburn or mustache mark on the face?: No · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:415-sharp-shinned-hawk-immature:2:1 Source: 415 Sharp-shinned Hawk (Immature), row 2