Accipiter striatus
When delivering food to his nestlings, the male Sharp-shinned Hawk is quite cautious around his mate: she is frequently one-third larger than he is. The two sexes prey on different-sized animals, which reduces their competition over food supplies. 'Accipiters,' named after their genus, are hawks that nest and hunt in woodlands. Their short, rounded wings, long, rudder-like tails and a flap-and-glide flight pattern give these birds the maneuverability to negotiate a maze of tree trunks. Rural birdfeeders will often attract Sharpies-not for the seeds, but for the finches and sparrows that the seeds attract. The 'sharp shins' of this hawk serve no purpose in field identification. |
I.D.: Sexes similar. Adult: small, short, rounded wings; long, straight tail; blue-gray back; red horizontal bars on underparts; red eyes. Immature: brown overall; brown eyes; vertical, brown streaking on breast and belly. In flight: flap-and-glide flyer; tail is heavily barred and is straight or notched at the end, with a narrow terminal band. Size: Male: L 10-12 in. (25-30 cm); W 20-24 in. (51-61 cm). Female: L 12-14 in. (30-36 cm); W 24-28 in. (61-71 cm). Range: uncommon year-round resident in the southern U.S. Rockies; common winter resident in the U.S. Rockies; uncommon spring migrant in the Canadian and northern U.S. Rockies. Habitat: dense to semi-open coniferous or deciduous forests; occasionally along riparian edges. In migration (especially in fall): usually seen soaring on thermals in open areas or hunting in alpine areas. Nesting: new stick or twig nest is usually built each year, normally about 2 ft. (61 cm) across; may remodel an abandoned crow nest; female incubates 4-5 eggs for up to 35 days; male feeds the female during incubation. Feeding: pursues small birds, such as finches, sparrows, warblers and thrushes, and occasionally woodpeckers and quail, through forests; takes more birds than other accipiters; rarely takes small mammals, amphibians and insects. Voice: silent, except during the breeding season, when an intense and often repeated kik-kik-kik-kik can be heard. Similar Species: Cooper's Hawk: usually larger; rounded tail with a broad terminal band. American Kestrel: long, pointed wings; 2 dark 'sideburns'; often seen in open country. Merlin: pointed wings; rapid wing beats; lacks the red breast streaks. |
