The Sharp-shinned Hawk is the smallest hawk in Michigan and a bird-hunting specialist, built for fast, agile pursuit through the trees. Short rounded wings and a long, square-tipped tail give it the maneuverability to twist after songbirds among branches, and its long, thin legs (the "sharp shins") help it snatch prey in flight. Adults are slate-gray above with a finely rust-barred breast and glaring red eyes; young birds are brown with streaked underparts.
To many people, "Sharpies" are best known as the small hawk that suddenly appears at the backyard feeder — not for the seed, but for the songbirds the feeder attracts. This is natural behavior, and a feeder is simply a concentration of prey. Sharp-shinned Hawks breed in the coniferous and mixed forests of northern Michigan and move through the whole state in impressive numbers during fall migration, when hawk-watchers tally them streaming along the Great Lakes shorelines.
Preys almost entirely on small birds, chief among them songbirds, caught in rapid surprise attacks through cover or in short pursuit flights. It plucks and eats prey at a perch, and around human habitation it often hunts the birds gathered at feeders.
Yes. Sharp-shinned Hawks naturally hunt songbirds, and a busy feeder concentrates their prey. It is a normal part of nature; if it bothers you, taking the feeder down for a week or two usually prompts the hawk to move on.
Both are similar accipiters, but the Sharp-shinned is smaller with a squared-off tail tip and a small head that barely projects, while the Cooper's Hawk is larger with a rounded tail tip and a bigger, more projecting head. Size and tail shape are the main clues.
During migration, especially fall, when large numbers pass along the Great Lakes shorelines and hawk-watch sites. It also winters across the state and breeds in the northern conifer forests.
Young birds are brown above with coarse, blurry brown streaking down the breast and yellow eyes, rather than the adult's blue-gray back, fine rusty barring, and red eyes. Most sharpies seen on fall hawk watches are juveniles.
Not true flocks, but they do join kettles — the spiraling groups that form as raptors ride thermals upward. Sharp-shinned Hawks are among the most numerous birds counted at Michigan's lakeshore hawk watches.
Other birds you might be looking at instead.
Pick the park — it takes less than ten seconds.
Start typing the bird's name, then pick it from the list.
Suggest a birding spot to add to the map. I'll review it before it appears.
Thanks! Your suggestion has been sent for review.
Found something wrong or out of date? Tell me what to fix — it goes straight to my inbox. (No email needed.)
Thank you — your note is on its way. I appreciate the help keeping this accurate.