Sharp-Shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
Identification
Adult: male approximately robin size, females slightly larger; sexes similar in coloration patterns;
Tail: long, square ended with 3-4 bands; thin white tip;
Throat: light with brown streaking;
Wings: wide and rounded with underside light brown with white barring underneath;
Breast and underside: cream or white, with heavy rust horizontal barring;
Legs: thin, delicate-looking;
Eye: orange or red.
Immature: similar to adult;
Underside: white with dark vertical streaking;
Tail: indistinct bands of medium and dark brown;
Eye: yellow.
Habitat
Coniferous wetland forests or upland hardwoods containing conifers; commonly observed hunting near bird
feeders.
Nests: small 10-18" in diameter placed close to trunk of coniferous tree species.
Range
Summer resident common in the northern 1/2 of state; possible statewide. Not a regular resident during winter;
possible visitor to southern part of state.
Call
Audio recording not yet available
