Sharp-Shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) juvenile female Cape May New Jersey USA
The SHARP-SHINNED HAWK belongs to a group of birds of prey to which the more familiar european SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus) belongs. In size, appearance and habits, the two species are very similar. The SHARP-SHINNED HAWK is a small dashing raptor of woodland areas where it feeds almost exclusively on small birds. These are captured in flight using speed and ambush. Their relatively short wings and long tails make them very manoeuvrable in flight and they are perfectly adapted to chase and capture small birds in the confined spaces of woodland glades. This species is widespread in north america. In the northern part of their distribution, particularly in Canada and Alaska, they are migrants, travelling south for the northern winter. Every autumn, huge numbers gather at Cape May Point prior to making the dangerous crossing of Delaware Bay. Numbers vary each autumn, but in 1975., 11,014 Sharp-shinned hawks were recorded.
Size: 3555px × 4816px
Location: Cape May Point State Park. Cape May. New Jersey. USA.
Photo credit: © mike mckavett / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: accipiter, america, bird, birding, birdwatching, cape, counting, eastern, flyway, great, hawk, hawkwatch, jersey, life, migrant, migration, migratory, nature, north, ornithology, park, platform, prey, raptor, sharp, sharp-shinned, shinned, state, striatus, watching, wild, wildlife
