juvenile; vertical brown streaks underneath (California, USA; 2006-03-18)


Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus

Native Range: North America and Middle America

Notes: a smaller version of the nearly identical Cooper's Hawk, from which it is told by its squarred-off (rather than rounded) tail, slightly smaller size (especially the male), and slightly faster wingbeats in flight; like Cooper's Hawk, this accipiter inhabits open woodlands and feeds mostly on songbirds; also soars occasionally on mid-day thermals.


juvenile; squared-off tail, yellow legs and feet (California, USA; 2006-03-18)
juvenile; yellow iris as well as legs (Florida, USA; 2007-12-25)