Which hawk is the smallest accipiter commonly found in North America?

The sharp-shinned hawk is the smallest accipiter commonly found in North America.

This compact forest hawk has short, rounded wings and a long tail that help it weave through dense vegetation while pursuing small birds. Its name refers to the sharp-looking, keeled edge of the lower leg, although the feature is not a literal blade.

Sharp-shinned hawks breed across much of North America and migrate south in autumn. They often appear at woodland edges, gardens, and bird feeders, where concentrations of songbirds can attract them. Females are substantially larger than males, a common pattern among birds of prey.

The species is frequently confused with the larger Cooper’s hawk. Adults of both species have blue-gray upperparts, reddish barring below, and banded tails. A sharp-shinned hawk usually has a smaller head and a more square-ended tail, but identification can be difficult when the bird is flying quickly through trees.