Sharp-shinned Hawk on an old wooden fence post – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
When it comes to accipiters I see Sharp-shinned Hawks less frequently than I do Cooper’s Hawks or Northern Goshawks. When I have a Sharp-shinned Hawk in my viewfinder I become very excited.
Yesterday morning, I was buzzing with glee when I found and pointed out a Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew across a dirt road in the West Desert, landed on an old wooden fence post and began to preen.
When the Sharp-shinned Hawk first landed it simply looked around and I would have been happy with just perched images of this small raptor.
The background in these images isn’t the sky even though that is what it appears to be, it is actually shaded distant mountains with low clouds obscuring the peaks. The green hues seen in the background are distant trees.
Back view of a Sharp-shinned Hawk – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
When the Sharp-shinned Hawk turned its head and looked in the opposite direction I was happy because I like to get different poses and head angles with all of my birdy subjects when I can.
Preening Sharp-shinned Hawk – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
So when the Sharp-shinned Hawk started to preen I was over the moon.
I found the molt pattern shown in the rectrices of this hawk interesting. There are some retained juvenal tail feathers, some adult tail feathers and one tail feather that is growing in. I also see at least one retained secondary feather on the left wing.
I’d guess that this is the Sharp-shinned Hawk’s second fall but I am not an expert, and I don’t claim to be, so I may check with some people that I know who are far more knowledgeable than I am about this hawk’s age.
By the way, I believe this is a male because of the narrow dark crescent below the eye and overall blue-gray color of the uppersides.
Sharp-shinned Hawk in front of mountains and clouds – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I would have loved to have had more time with this Sharp-shinned Hawk but a pickup barreled down the road and the hawk took flight as it rumbled by. Still, I was grateful to have it in my viewfinder for as long as I did.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Sharp-shinned Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Really cool set of pics. The muted background sets off the hawk beautifully. Thanks Mia.
Nice shots! I always confuse Sharpies with Cooper’s Hawk. Found this bit on desertusa.com:
Identifying marks for a Cooper’s hawk in flight include size and flying characteristics. Their large head projects beyond the leading edge of the wings, thus enabling the bird to turn its head to look to the side. By comparison, the sharp-shinned hawk, with a head set slightly back from the leading edge, must tip its wings to look to the side. Though both species have rapid wing beats, the Cooper’s is a bit slower and shallower, and the Coop has a steadier flight than the Sharpie in strong winds. Cooper’s tend to alternate periods of soaring with punctuations of rapid wing beats, but don’t rely on this one habit. Also, Cooper’s hawks tend to have a more rounded tail than a sharp-shinned hawk, but again this is not a foolproof character. Immatures tend to have longer tails and broader wings than do the adults, helping increase mobility in flight. This may be compensation for the young bird’s inexperience in flying and chasing prey.
Beautiful colors in the bird and background.
Really beautiful pictures! Tail detail outstanding. In the view looking back over tail looks like an olympic gymnast. We don’t often get a chance to see a perched Sharp-shinned Hawk!
Mia, if I remember correctly this is the same kind hawk that was in our ash tree two years ago feasting on a starling. I sent you the pics and you said it was a Sharp-Shinned hawk. Such gorgeous images like always. Thank you!
Preening birds are always a joy. Like bathing birds. And if I am honest, all birds.
Great series. Thank you.
Extraordinary! Down here in Tucson we get Sharp-shinned Hawks occasionally, but they’re outnumbered by Cooper’s Hawks at least 15 or 20:1. I’ve never been able to photograph one: all of the Sharp-shinneds that I imagine I’m photographing turn out to be Cooper’s.
Fantastic shots. The first one takes my breath away.
Fantastic shots!
WOW!! Beautiful shots and he even gave you a look! Wonderful series.
Sharp-shinned Hawks around here are so skittish my only view finder are my binoculars.
Nice shots! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Sharp-shinned Hawk before.
Cool shots, Mia