PUERTO RICAN SHARP-SHINNED HAWK Accipiter striatus venator (Wetmore) 



Order: FALCONIFORMES Family: ACCIPITRIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A small hawk with a long square-ended tail and short, 

 rounded wings. Straight away flight with quick wing beats alternated with gliding. 

 Adults have bluish gray upper parts with black barring on tail and underparts barred 

 with reddish brown. Immatures are brown above and white streaked with brown below. 

 Distinguished from the American sharp-shinned hawk (velox) by smaller size, darker 

 coloration, and dark bands of tail heavier and more distinct. 



Present distribution : Found only in the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico between 

 Maricao Forest and Mayaguez and in Luquillo Forest. 



Former distribution : Same as present and possibly more widely distributed in mountain 

 forests . 



Status: Vulnerable because of small numbers and restricted mountain forest habitat. 



Estimated numbers : No satisfactory estimate but almost certainly less than 100-200 birds. 



Breeding rate in the wild : One nest found by James McCandless contained 2 eggs. 



Reasons for decline : Cutting and reduction of area of mountain forests . 



Protective measures already taken : Preservation of habitat incidental to establishment 

 of Federal and State forests . 



Measures proposed : A thorough study of this species to determine limits of its 

 distribution, its abundance, and factors affecting its survival. 



Number in captivity : None known . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Unknown but probably poor . 



References : 



Bond, J. 1936. Birds of the West Indies . Acad. Natural Sciences of 



Philadelphia and supplements 1940 to 1956. 

 Friedmann, H. 1950. The birds of North and Middle America, U.S. Nat. Mus. 



Bull. 50. pt. XI. 

 Kepler, C. B. Administrative reports, Bureau of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife. 

 Leopold, N. F. 1963. Checklist of birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 



Univ. Puerto Rico Agric . Exp. Sta . Bull. 168. 



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