Snapshot – Sharp-shinned Hawk

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a small hawk in the accipiter family. The relatively short wings and extra long tail make it fast and highly maneuverable as it chases smaller birds through the woods. Sharp-shinned Hawks look nearly identical to another accipiter, the slightly larger Cooper’s Hawk. The shape of the head is one distinguishing feature. The Sharp-shinned Hawk has a smaller head. It barely extends beyond the wings. Another identification mark seen in this photo is the straight, squared off tail tip. The tip is more rounded on a Cooper’s Hawk.