THE SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 
By EDWARD HOWE FORBUSH 
The National Association of Audubon Societies 
Educational Leaflet No. 37 
We can say much in favor of most land-birds, but the Sharp-shinned 
Hawk is an exception to the rule. It is a bold marauder, and, judged 
by the standard of the poultryman, the game-keeper, the sportsman, t>r 
the bird-protectionist, it is a convicted felon. Its trade is battle, murder, 
and sudden death, and, unfortunately, the greater number of its victims 
are the weak and defenseless young of game-birds and poultry, and 
the beautiful and useful songsters of field, farm, grove, orchard, and 
forest. 
This small bird is one of a group of “ignoble” hawks — the Accipiters 
— which may be distinguished from the Sparrow Hawk, Pigeon Hawk 
and other falcons by their comparatively short, rounded wings, and their 
long tails. The Falcons ( Falco ) have a slightly shorter tail, and long, 
pointed wings. The Buzzards ( Buteo ) have long, broad wings and a 
broad tail, and often soar in circles ; but the Accipiters 
move across the country by alternately flapping and Kindred 
sailing. The Sharp-shinned Hawk, in general appear- 
ance as well as in habits, resembles two larger species, Cooper’s Hawk 
and the American Goshawk. 
Cooper’s Hawk stands next in size to the Sharp-shinned, and 
the two are much alike in appearance. The adults of each species in 
some parts of the country are known as Blue: Darters. These three 
species, because of their numbers, wide distribution, and great rapacity, 
probably commit greater and more widespread havoc among birds and 
game than any other hawks in North America. The larger, pernicious 
Falcons are far less common than the Accipiters, and the Buzzards and 
Marsh Hawks are, in general, more useful than injurious to man. 
The Sharp-shinned Hawk is larger than either the Sparrow Hawk 
or the Pigeon Hawk, and is rather longer and slimmer. Specimens 
average a little more than a foot in length, the largest about two inches 
smaller than the smallest specimens of the Cooper’s Hawk. The plumage 
at full maturity is usually slaty or bluish gray above, and the underparts 
are whitish, barred and marked with reddish. Immature birds are brown 
above and streaked with dark brown or reddish brown below. The tail 
is square-tipped and heavilv barred. 
The distribution of this hawk is nearly co-extensive with the con- 
tinent of North America. It breeds throughout most of the United States 
and Canada, and winters from the latitude of Massachusetts to Central 
America. In September, numbers of these hawks may be seen high in 
