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Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Bird · family Accipitridae · order Accipitriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
48 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
12 years[4]

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a bird in the family Accipitridae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act, and NatureServe ranks it Secure worldwide[1][2].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Sharp-shinned Hawk a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. In the United States it is ranked Secure for both breeding and nonbreeding birds[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. It is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
CITES (international trade)[9] Appendix II
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] 10,000 to 1,000,000 individuals

Where Sharp-shinned Hawk lives

NatureServe lists the Sharp-shinned Hawk as native in 48 US states and territories, from Alaska and Washington across to Maine and Florida[3]. It is recorded as extirpated, meaning gone, or possibly gone from Rhode Island[11]. Many states give it their own rank, and these vary from state to state[12].

Alaska: native, state rank S4B,S3NAKMaine: native, state rank S3B,S2NMEWisconsin: native, state rank S3BWIVermont: native, state rank S3B,S3NVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S4NHWashington: native, state rank S3B,S4NWAIdaho: native, state rank S4IDMontana: native, state rank S4BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRBNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRBMNIllinois: native, state rank S1ILMichigan: native, state rank S3MINew York: native, state rank S4NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S2B,S5NMAOregon: native, state rank S4ORNevada: native, state rank S4NVWyoming: native, state rank S4WYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S3B,S3NSDIowa: native, state rank S3NIAIndiana: native, state rank S2BINOhio: native, state rank S3OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S3B,S4N,S5MPANew Jersey: native, state rank S3B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S2BCTRhode Island: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHBRICalifornia: native, state rank S4CAUtah: native, state rank S3UTColorado: native, state rank S3B,S4NCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: native, state rank S3MOKentucky: native, state rank S3B,S4NKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S3B,S4NWVVirginia: native, state rank S3VAMaryland: native, state rank S2BMDDelaware: native, state rank S1B,S4NDEArizona: native, state rank S4AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S4B,S4NNMKansas: native, state rank S1B,S4NKSArkansas: native, state rank S3ARTennessee: native, state rank S3BTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S1B,S4NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S3SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S3N,SHBDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNRNOKLouisiana: native, state rank S1B,S4NLAMississippi: native, state rank S1B,S3NMSAlabama: native, state rank S3B,S4NALGeorgia: native, state rank S4GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S2B,S3NTXFlorida: native, state rank SNRNFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[12].
Show state ranks (49 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
AlaskaS4B,S3NApparently Secure (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
ArizonaS4Apparently Secure
ArkansasS3Vulnerable
CaliforniaS4Apparently Secure
ColoradoS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
ConnecticutS2BImperiled (breeding)
DelawareS1B,S4NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
District of ColumbiaS3N,SHBVulnerable (nonbreeding), Possibly Extirpated (breeding)
FloridaSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
GeorgiaS4Apparently Secure
IdahoS4Apparently Secure
IllinoisS1Critically Imperiled
IndianaS2BImperiled (breeding)
IowaS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
KansasS1B,S4NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
KentuckyS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
LouisianaS1B,S4NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MaineS3B,S2NVulnerable (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MarylandS2BImperiled (breeding)
MassachusettsS2B,S5NImperiled (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
MichiganS3Vulnerable
MinnesotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
MississippiS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
MissouriS3Vulnerable
MontanaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
NevadaS4Apparently Secure
New HampshireS4Apparently Secure
New JerseyS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS4Apparently Secure
North CarolinaS1B,S4NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
OhioS3Vulnerable
OklahomaSNRNNot Ranked (nonbreeding)
OregonS4Apparently Secure
PennsylvaniaS3B,S4N,S5MVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding), Secure (migrant)
Rhode IslandSHBPossibly Extirpated (breeding)
South CarolinaS3Vulnerable
South DakotaS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
TennesseeS3BVulnerable (breeding)
TexasS2B,S3NImperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
UtahS3Vulnerable
VermontS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
VirginiaS3Vulnerable
WashingtonS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
West VirginiaS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS3BVulnerable (breeding)
WyomingS4Apparently Secure

Habitat

This hawk lives in forest and open woodland made up of hardwood trees, conifers or a mix of both[13][14]. It also uses old fields and areas along streams[13]. For nesting it prefers young, dense woods, and in the north it often nests in conifers[14]. During migration it passes through many kinds of places, mainly along ridges, lakeshores and coastlines[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a meat eater that feeds mainly on small to medium-sized birds[15][16]. It sometimes takes small mammals, insects and lizards[16]. It hunts from a hidden perch or by quiet flights around bushes and trees[16]. A typical adult is about 36 cm (14 in) long and weighs about 174 g[17][18]. The oldest known banded bird was at least 12 years 9 months old[4]. Females reach sexual maturity at about 365 days old, and a typical clutch is 4[19][20].

Trait Value
Typical length[17] 36 cm (14 in)
Typical adult weight[18] 174 g (6.1 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[21] 19.9 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 12 years 9 months
Litter or clutch size[20] 4
Gestation or incubation[22] 34 days
Female maturity[19] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[15] Carnivore
Migration[23] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[24]

  • 100% warm-blooded vertebrates

When to look for it

This hawk is active during the day[25]. Northern birds migrate, and some populations are non-migrants or only move short distances[26][23]. Southward migration runs from August to October in Canada and the northern US[26]. On GBIF, the most records fall in September, October and November[27]. These records show when people look and report, not how many hawks there are[27].

January: 131,350 recordsJanFebruary: 115,782 recordsFebMarch: 103,460 recordsMarApril: 140,344 recordsAprMay: 74,467 recordsMayJune: 16,329 recordsJunJuly: 14,477 recordsJulAugust: 34,375 recordsAugSeptember: 190,037 recordsSepOctober: 268,851 recordsOctNovember: 157,011 recordsNovDecember: 125,782 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[27].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January131,350
February115,782
March103,460
April140,344
May74,467
June16,329
July14,477
August34,375
September190,037
October268,851
November157,011
December125,782

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Sharp-shinned Hawk as present in 223 park units[28]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 199 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Pennsylvania, California, New Jersey, New York, Texas[29]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Sharp-shinned Hawk endangered?
No. It is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, Secure, worldwide[2].
Where does the Sharp-shinned Hawk live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 48 US states and territories[3]. It lives in forest and open woodland[13][14].
What does the Sharp-shinned Hawk eat?
It eats mainly small to medium-sized birds[16]. It sometimes takes small mammals, insects and lizards[16].
How big is the Sharp-shinned Hawk?
A typical adult is about 36 cm (14 in) long and weighs about 174 g[17][18].
How long does the Sharp-shinned Hawk live?
The oldest known banded wild bird was at least 12 years 9 months old[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Sharp-shinned Hawk is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Sharp-shinned Hawk: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Sharp-shinned Hawk as native in 48 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Sharp-shinned Hawk from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 12 years 9 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) is a bird in the family Accipitridae, order Accipitriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Sharp-shinned Hawk is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix II (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to 1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe ranks Sharp-shinned Hawk as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Rhode Island. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe state ranks for Sharp-shinned Hawk (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Sharp-shinned Hawk: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Old field, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Sharp-shinned Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore. NatureServe Explorer
  16. NatureServe notes on food for Sharp-shinned Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 36 cm (14 in). NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 174 g (6.1 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  19. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  20. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 4. AnAge
  21. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 19.9 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  22. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 34 days. AnAge
  23. NatureServe migration category for Sharp-shinned Hawk: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  24. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 100% warm-blooded vertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  25. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on migration for Sharp-shinned Hawk. NatureServe Explorer
  27. GBIF observation records of Sharp-shinned Hawk in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  28. NPSpecies park lists recording Sharp-shinned Hawk as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  29. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Sharp-shinned Hawk: Pennsylvania, California, New Jersey, New York, Texas. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.