Sharp-shinned Hawks are common raptors in Oregon, particularly during migration and winter. They are known for their fast, agile flight and their diet primarily consisting of small birds. Like many raptors, they exhibit sexual dimorphism, but for Sharp-shinned Hawks, this is most pronounced in their size, with females being significantly larger than males. While their plumage is generally similar between sexes in adulthood, there can be subtle differences.

Male Sharp-shinned Hawk
Size: Males are the smallest of the three North American *Accipiter* hawks (Sharp-shinned, Cooper's, and Northern Goshawk). They are often described as being about the size of an American Kestrel or slightly larger than a Blue Jay.
Length: 9 - 10.5 inches (23-27 cm)
Wingspan: 20 - 23 inches (51-58 cm)
Weight: 3 - 4 ounces (85-113 g) - Males average around 57% of the mass of females, making them one of the most sexually dimorphic raptors in North America by weight.
Plumage (Adult):
Upperparts: Dark slate-gray to bluish-gray on the back, wings, and head (often with a darker cap).
Underparts: White to creamy white with **fine, horizontal reddish-brown or rufous barring** on the breast and belly. The barring tends to be denser and more uniformly reddish than in females.
Tail: Long, squared-off tail (sometimes with a slight notch) with distinct dark bands and a thin white tip.
Eyes: Bright red or reddish-orange eyes (yellow in juveniles, becoming red with age).
Legs: Relatively thin, yellowish legs.
Behavior: Males are highly agile hunters, often taking smaller birds like sparrows, finches, and warblers. Their smaller size allows them to maneuver through dense vegetation with incredible speed.

Female Sharp-shinned Hawk
Size: Females are considerably larger than males, often approaching the size of a male Cooper's Hawk. This significant size difference is a key identification feature.
Length: 11 - 13.5 inches (28-34 cm)
Wingspan: 23 - 27 inches (58-69 cm)
Weight: 5 - 8 ounces (140-227 g) - Nearly double the weight of males.
Plumage (Adult):
Upperparts: Similar to males, but often a slightly duller or more brownish-gray on the back and wings. The dark cap might be less distinct.
Underparts: White to creamy white with broader and often more diffuse reddish-brown or rufous streaking/barring than males. The barring can sometimes appear less uniform.
ange of prey, including slightly larger birds like robins or jays, which males might not target as frequently.

Key Identification Points (Both Sexes & How to Differentiate from Cooper's Hawk):

When identifying Sharp-shinned Hawks in Oregon, especially when trying to differentiate them from the very similar Cooper's Hawk, look for:

Size: The single most reliable indicator for sexing Sharp-shinned Hawks is relative size, but this is only useful if you see them together or have a very good sense of scale against known objects. Generally, if it looks "tiny" for a hawk, it's likely a male Sharpie. If it looks like a medium-sized crow, it might be a female Sharpie or a male Cooper's.
Head Shape: Sharp-shinned Hawks tend to have a small, rounded head that often doesn't project far beyond the "wrist" (carpal joint) of the wing in flight. Cooper's Hawks typically have a larger, flatter-topped head that projects further.
Tail Shape: Sharp-shinned Hawks usually have a squared-off or slightly notched tail tip in flight, whereas Cooper's Hawks often have a more rounded tail tip. The white tail tip is typically narrower on Sharpies than on Cooper's.
Plumage Detail (Adults): Both have barred underparts, but Sharpies tend to have finer, more uniform barring (especially males). Cooper's Hawks often have bolder, more widely spaced barring.
Legs: Sharp-shinned Hawks have noticeably thinner legs than Cooper's Hawks.
Eye Color: Adult eyes are red, but juvenile eyes are yellow in both species.

Sharp-shinned Hawks are widespread in Oregon, found in a variety of forested and semi-open habitats, and are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders, where they opportunistically hunt songbirds.