Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)

Identification & Behavior: ~28 cm (11 in). The Sharp-shinned Hawk has a dusky head and rest of the upperparts. The underparts are variable, ranging from solid rufous, rusty barred, or white with fine dusky streaks. The thighs in most birds are rufous, but some birds have gray thighs. The juvenile has dusky spotted underparts. The coloration patters in similar to that of a Double-toothed kite, which ranges at lower elevations. Also, see Bicolored Hawk.

Status: The Sharp-shinned Hawk is uncommon to rare at elevations ranging between 900-3500 m on the east slope of the Andes. It also occurs on the west slope of the Andes generally in humid forests above 800 m on both sides of the Marañon Valley. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Gavilán Pajarero.

Sub-species: Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus ventralis), P. L. Sclater 1866.

Meaning of Name: Accipiter: L. falcon, hawk. ventralis: L. pertaining to the belly.

See more of the Family Accipitridae