Forestry & Wildlife

*This is an excerpt from Common Birds of Prey of Alabama, ANR – 1386.

Averaging less than 7 ounces, the sharp-shinned hawk is one of Alabama’s smallest raptors. Most of Alabama falls only within its winter range, but they are found year round in some northern counties. Sharp-shinned hawks are mostly gray birds with darkly banded tails and reddish barred breasts. Very few characteristics distinguish this species from the closely related Cooper’s hawk. Distinguishing features include a shorter, more squared tail than that of the Cooper’s hawk as well as a smaller head and thinner legs. Feeding primarily on smaller songbirds, sharp-shinned hawks prefer mixed forests and pine forests.

Read here to learn more about common birds of prey of Alabama.

Download a PDF of Common Birds of Prey of Alabama, ANR – 1386.