Sharp-shinned Hawks, often referred to as “sharpies,” are the smallest diurnal raptor (not including falcons) that we have in southwest Pennsylvania. They look a lot like the larger Cooper’s Hawk and can sometimes pose an identification challenge in the field. In fact, female Sharp-shinned Hawks are nearly the same size as male Cooper’s!

In these two species, and most raptors, the males are noticeably smaller than the females, which is called reverse sexual dimorphism. Researchers think that this is due to the sex roles during the breeding season: males need to be smaller and more agile to be efficient hunters to help feed nestlings.

Pictured here is a male Sharp-shinned Hawk next to a Sharpie marker, demonstrating that his body is about the length of the marker.

All birds are captured and banded under a federal permit issued by the Bird Banding Lab, part of the U.S. Geological Survey.