Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
Conservation Status
Least ConcernAves · Accipitriformes · Accipitridae
About
The sharp-shinned hawk or northern sharp-shinned hawk, colloquially often nicknamed sharpie, is a small hawk, with males being the smallest hawks in the United States and Canada, but with the species averaging larger than some Neotropical species, such as the tiny hawk. The taxonomy is far from resolved, with some authorities considering the southern taxa to represent three separate species, white-breasted hawk, plain-breasted hawk, and rufous-thighed hawk. The American Ornithological Society and some other checklists keep all four species conspecific. A recent genetic study additionally recommended splitting the three Caribbean island populations as three additional separate species, though this has not yet been adopted by any of the ornithological authorities.
Fun Fact
The taxonomy is far from resolved, with some authorities considering the southern taxa to represent three separate species, white-breasted hawk (A.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Occurs in a wide range of woodland and forest types, both dominated by conifers and by various types of broad-leaved trees (especially oaks) The largest populations of the nominate group (see taxonomy) are thought to occur in the temperate boreal forests, but winter in warmer regions farther south (see distribution).
Diet
Prey on a post or other perch.
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance