STORY BEHIND PHOTO OF THE WEEK

This September I have come across Sharp-shinned Hawks three times and was able to get some photos, all within 1,000 feet from my house.  It wasn’t until I read up on these amazing hunters that I realized I had my next Photo of the Week article. Hope You Enjoy!

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus):  The smallest and most numerous of the bird-hunting accipiters, the Sharp-shinned Hawk feeds mainly on birds, which it catches in sudden and swift attacks.  Its rounded wings and long narrow tail enable it to pursue birds through the woods, making sharp turns to avoid branches.  In the East, this species seems to be undergoing a decrease in number, perhaps because some of its prey species are also declining.  Nonetheless, it is also, the most migratory, breeding north to the tree-line in Alaska and Canada and wintering as far south as Panama!!  One of the most common species at hawk-migration lookouts both in the East and in the West.  This hawk gets its name from its flattened, thin ‘shins’ or shanks.

A small, jay-sized (10-14 inch – wing span 21 inches) fast-flying hawk of the forests and their edges, has a long, narrow, square-tipped tail and short rounded wings,  it resembles a small version of the Cooper’s Hawk (14-20 inch – wing span 28 inches).  It preys on small birds, often at backyard feeders, and, sometimes takes other small vertebrates.  I mentioned the word small in describing this hawk, actually, the male Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest hawk in the United States and Canada!!  Remember, female Sharp-shinned Hawks are about a third bigger and heavier than males.  This is a typical pattern for many hawks and owls, but otherwise rare in the bird world.

HABITAT:  Breeds in dense coniferous forests, less often in deciduous forests.  In migration and winter, may be seen in almost any habitat.

NESTING:  4 or 5 whitish eggs, marked with brown.  Their nests are a shallow, well-made platform of twigs well concealed in the forest canopy.

RANGE:  Breeds from Alaska through MacKenzie to Newfoundland, and south to California, New Mexico, northern Gulf states and Carolinas.  Winters across the United States north to British Columbia and the Canadian Maritimes.

In doing my research for this article, I came across this description from All About Birds, that caught my attention and really seems to best sum up our Sharp-shinned Hawk: “A tiny hawk that appears in a blur of motion—and often disappears in a flurry of feathers.  That’s the Sharp-shinned Hawk, the smallest hawk in Canada and the United States and a daring, acrobatic flier.  These raptors have distinctive proportions: long legs, short wings, and very long tails, which they use for navigating their deep-woods homes at top speed in pursuit of songbirds and mice.  They’re easiest to spot in fall on their southward migration, or occasionally at winter feeders.” 

OBSERVATION:  It never ceases to amaze me how each and every species has developed and adapted over the vast span of time!!  Each has its own distinct characteristics, capabilities and traits, which have allowed each to survive in an ever-changing challenging world!!  In this case, our Sharp-shinned, dashing through the branches at top speed in pursuit of its prey.  Think about it — their prey, the small finches, etc., are not exactly poor fliers. They are pretty quick and nimble in their own right!!

Did you know? The size difference between the sexes in the Sharp-shinned Hawks influences the size of prey they can catch.  Nestlings feed first on small prey caught mainly by their father, switching as they grow to the larger prey that their mother can bring in. 

Adult Sharp-shinned Hawks continue to feed their offspring for several weeks after the youngsters have fledged.  At first, they drop dead prey into the nest for the young to consume, but, as the fledglings gain skill, the parents switch to passing prey to the young hawks in flight.  The parent approaches and calls, and the fledgling rises to grab prey out of its parent’s claws.

Watch this little hunter in action on Bing or read this fascinating overview of these birds from All About Birds.

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Charlie Fineran is Allamuchy’s Director of Open Space, Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission Chairman and Allamuchy Historical Society President.