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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CLXXII
Field-journal plate: Sharp-shinned Hawk
The Sharp-shinned Hawk plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CLXXII

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Accipitridae · Taxon 5097

LengthBoth sexes: 9.4–13.4 in (24–34 cm)
WingspanBoth sexes: 16.9–22.1 in (43–56 cm)
WeightBoth sexes: 3.1–7.7 oz (87–218 g)

Field marks

  1. Small head and compact, sharply hooked bill with a yellow cere
  2. Short, rounded wings and a long, dark-banded tail that is usually square-tipped
  3. Very thin yellow legs with slender toes
  4. Adults slaty blue-gray above with narrow rusty red-orange barring below
  5. Immatures brown above with coarse vertical brown streaks on white underparts
  6. Bright yellow eyes in immatures, becoming redder with age

HabitatBreeds in dense forest, often where conifers are present, and also uses mixed or deciduous woodland. Outside the breeding season it frequents forest edges, thickets, brushy areas, and other wooded habitats; migrants may cross open country and follow ridges.

BehaviorA stealthy pursuit hunter that waits within foliage or moves through dense cover, then bursts after small birds with swift, agile flight. It also pounces from low perches and typically crosses open areas with a flap-flap-glide pattern.

Palette

slaty blue-graywarm brownrusty red-orangewhitegolden yellow