Sunday, March 30, 2014

Sharpie

 
 A Sharp-shinned Hawk, the smallest male hawk in North America,
 made an appearance in our yard.
 
 
This Sub-adult (transitioning from juvenile to adult plumage),
 looked to be about 8-9 inches. The size range for males is 9 to 12 inches
 
 
Sharp-shinned Hawks look similar to a Cooper's Hawk. Overall, in size, Sharpie's are smaller. The head is smaller, less rectangular than a Cooper's, it's less heavy-bodied and muscular, the neck is less clearly defined, it has thinner yellow legs, and smaller feet.


The great majority of this hawk's prey are small birds, especially various songbirds such as sparrows (poor sparrow), wood-warblers, finches, wrens, nuthatches, tits, and thrushes. It plucks and scatters feathers as it eats.
 

sharing with...
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56 comments:

  1. These shots are outstanding, Karen! Holy moly. !!!

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  2. Wow! Fantastic photos! How lucky to catch this hawk in action.

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  3. Beautiful bird, FANTASTIC SHOTS and I think I hate hawks more than just a little. It eats finches!??! Well they are NOT welcome at Finch Rest, lemme tell ya! : - )

    Well done pics, always impressed by your work. Hugs.

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  4. marvelous shots, karen! i've gotten to see one sharpie here and was amazed how tiny it was! so very cool!

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  5. Great photos! Such close photos show amazing detail on the feathers - very beautiful!

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  6. Wow, I never thought a hawk could be so beautiful!

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  7. Your captures are absolutely stunning as always, Karen, and what a beautiful bird he is indeed!! I always look forward to your posts because I've never been able to see very many birds so "up close and personal"!! I love it! Hope your week is off to a good start! Thanks as always for sharing your talent and your beautiful birds!!

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  8. Dearest Karen;
    What a stunning and beautiful picture of the Sharp-shinned Hawk♡♡♡
    He looks SO brave with his food, never seen this amazing picture(^_^)v

    Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  9. What a kill! Look at that victorious yet cautious look!
    Great shots!

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  10. What a beautiful bird, so lucky to catch him on the ground. Gorgeous markings.

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  11. A gorgeous assassin - and brilliant photos too. Thank you.

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  12. What sharp and lovely shots.

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  13. Lovely pictures of an adorable bird.

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  14. Simply brilliant photographs Karen. Can't say any more than that.

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  15. Karen, amazing photos of the Sharpie!! A cool visitor..Have a happy day!

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  16. Amazing shots of this beautiful raptor. So impressed with your ID skills and thank you for sharing your knowledge.

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  17. A "sharpie" to me is a Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper - yours seems a we bit fiercer!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  18. Hi,Karen. Nice captures. You got good shutter chances. I think it's very rare to take hawks photos very clearly. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Wonderful images, Karen, and those feathers are just gorgeous.

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  20. Such fabulous shots of the hawk.

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  21. This hawk is so pretty....I know they are sharp hunters

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  22. Totally fantastic shots!! What a beauty!

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  23. breaks my heart. poor little sparrow!!

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  24. Oh yes, brilliant Hawk, with something to eat. Grand photos Karen.

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  25. Yes, poor sparrow but it's the cycle of life and everyone has to survive. Your photos are spectacular Karen, the Hawk is a real beauty. I love to see them but when one is circling our house I always hope the smaller birds are in a good hiding place.

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  26. These pics could be in a bird book - you should do some type of book, Karen!

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  27. I don't think I would have recognized him as a hawk- that small. Great shots- circle of life..but hard to look at sometimes.

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  28. Great shots of this handsome fellow!

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  29. Fantastic shots! How cool! We had Cooper's Hawks visiting the yard over the winter.

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  30. What a sight! I have one of these or either a Cooper's Hawk that frequents my backyard. I have frightened it a few times as it was waiting to pounce.

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  31. wow.... you keep setting the bar higher and higher with your photography and this one takes it to a whole new level!!

    stunning shots.. what an amazing addition to your portfolio.

    well done *VBS*

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  32. Poor sparrow indeed but such is the way of nature.
    Outstanding pics!!! Well done Karen!

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  33. Fantastic pictures, Karen! I feel a little sorry for his lunch, but that's nature.

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  34. Great set of photos and what a great subject.

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  35. Wonderful snaps. Recently, a hawk landed on the fences near our dining area where I watch birds and knew it was a Sharpie or a small Cooper's hawk. Black and white bands on the tail. Interesting to watch. Your instructive post sheds a bit of light. Dianne

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  36. That juve hawk was lucky to make a kill... conflicted as I feel about that..Michelle

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  37. What a beautiful little predator. These shots are awesome.

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  38. I am looking at these again, they are really beautiful!!

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  39. What beautiful raptors these little guys are!
    Superb series of really excellent photographs, Karen!

    Nice job!

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  40. hoe lucky you are to see this and to get such great shots. Thanks for sharing.

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  41. Oh fantastic shots, Karen!
    Poor sparrow, poor sparrow..

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  42. OH MY! You got great photos of this hawk!

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  43. Amazing photos. Well done!
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

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  44. wonderful images of this hawk. Great shots! Have a wonderful weekend ahead and thanks for stopping by my blog this week.

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  45. You got great shots. We usually see the Cooper's Hawks here. They tend to string the feathers about them, too.

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  46. These are amazing, the clarity of the photo`s is superb.

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