The sharp-shinned hawk is the most numerous raptor observed during autumn migration at Cape May, a major Atlantic flyway site.
Sharp-shinned hawks breed across forested parts of North America and migrate south in autumn. Many travel through the eastern United States toward wintering grounds in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Cape May, New Jersey, is a funnel-shaped coastal location where birds become concentrated before continuing south.
The species is a small, agile accipiter that specializes in catching songbirds. Its short wings and long tail allow rapid maneuvering through woodland and around migration-watch sites. Females are substantially larger than males, a common pattern among birds of prey.
Sharp-shinned hawks are often confused with Cooper’s hawks, which have similar proportions and plumage. Cooper’s hawks are generally larger, with a larger head and broader wings. Careful attention to size, flight style, and shape is important because the two species can overlap extensively.