American Kestrel vs Sharp-Shinned Hawk

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Also known as: Sparrow Hawk

How to recognise an American kestrel?

General appearance

The American kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America, measuring about 9-12 inches in length. It is renowned for its vibrant plumage and striking facial markings, including a pair of vertical black stripes on a white face. The wings are pointed, and the bird exhibits a rusty orange back and tail with a grey crown. Its flight is characterized by a swift, agile motion with frequent hovering.

Male vs female

Males are more vividly colored than females, displaying slate-blue wings sharply contrasting with their rufous backs and tails. The male's tail has a single broad black band at the tip. Females exhibit a more uniform rufous coloration on their wings and back, with black barring throughout and multiple narrow black bands on the tail, making them appear less vibrant than males.

Juvenile

Juvenile American kestrels resemble adult females but have darker streaking on their underparts and may appear less distinctly marked overall. Their plumage is more subdued, and young birds lack the full brilliance of mature individuals. Juveniles molt into adult plumage by their first winter, reducing differences as they mature.

Size

8.7 - 12.2 in/2.8 - 5.8 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The American Kestrel prefers open or semi-open areas such as open country, farmland, forest clearings, and cities. They require adequate prey and raised perches.

Additional range

Complementary habitats include agricultural lands, desert regions, and urban environments. In breeding season, they favour habitats with appropriate nesting sites. During winter, more females than males reside in open habitats.

Range Map

What do American kestrels like to eat?

Natural diet

The American kestrel primarily preys on large insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, dragonflies, moths, and caterpillars. Its diet also includes small mammals like voles, mice, and occasionally bats. Small birds, sometimes up to the size of quail, are also part of its diet, alongside reptiles like lizards and frogs. Additionally, it consumes earthworms, spiders, crayfish, and other similar items.

Bird feeders

American kestrels do not typically feed at bird feeders. They prefer hunting live prey in their natural habitats.

What does an American kestrel sound like?

The American kestrel, a small falcon species, emits a piercing scream-like vocalization most commonly referred to as "killy-killy-killy," reflecting a shrill, sharp and repetitive pattern. This flat and simple call, often used as its signature sound, can leave a lasting impression due to its intense, demanding tonality. Rather than intricate songs, the American kestrel is primarily known for this single, characteristic scream.

Song

Audio by Jayrson Araujo De Oliveira

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

How to recognise a sharp-shinned hawk?

General appearance

The sharp-shinned hawk is approximately the size of a crow, measuring 10-14 inches and sporting a wingspan of 21 inches. Their coloration varies between a blue-gray on top and pale reddish hue below. They are characterized by their squared-off tail tip and small heads. Their legs are pencil-thin, and they exhibit a broad, rounded wing shape, with a long and square-tipped, notched tail.

Male vs female

While generally small, female sharp-shinned hawks can escalate to almost the same size as a male Cooper's Hawk. The size parody among the species sometimes makes a distinction in the field perplexing and demands expert birding skills.

Juvenile

Young sharp-skinned Hawks differ from adults in coloration, starting as brown above with striped markings below. Compared to young Cooper's Hawks, juveniles of this species may demonstrate more blurry streaking on their lower-body. Over time, these youthful streaks gradually give way to the monotone, pale reddish coloration of their underside observed in adulthood.

Size

9.1 - 13.4 in/3.1 - 8.4 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

Sharp-shinned hawks primarily inhabit mixed or coniferous forests and open deciduous woodlands. They often choose to nest in groves of coniferous trees within mixed woods or dense deciduous trees.

Additional range

In winter, they can be found in any forest or brushy area, avoiding open country. Also, they sometimes reside in pure coniferous forests with nearby brush or clearings.

Range Map

What do sharp-shinned hawks like to eat?

Natural diet

The sharp-shinned hawk primarily preys on small birds, focusing on species approximately sparrow-sized up to robin-sized, and occasionally up to quail-sized. Their diet is supplemented with small mammals such as rodents, bats, and squirrels. Reptiles and amphibians form a minor part of their diet, including lizards, frogs, and snakes. Additionally, large insects are sometimes consumed.

Bird feeders

Sharp-shinned hawks are known to visit backyard bird feeders, primarily to prey on the small birds that frequent these areas. They do not consume seeds or other typical bird feeder offerings but are attracted by the presence of potential prey.

What does a sharp-shinned hawk sound like?

The sharp-shinned hawk vocalizes with sharp, repeated "kik-kik-kik-kik" calls, often resembling chatter. It is also known for its shrill scream that usually follows a simple, flat, falling pattern. These distinct sounds enable this hawk species to communicate effectively within its habitat.

Call

Audio by G. McGrane

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American Kestrel

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Sharp-Shinned Hawk

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Also known as: Sparrow Hawk

General appearance

The American kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America, measuring about 9-12 inches in length. It is renowned for its vibrant plumage and striking facial markings, including a pair of vertical black stripes on a white face. The wings are pointed, and the bird exhibits a rusty orange back and tail with a grey crown. Its flight is characterized by a swift, agile motion with frequent hovering.

Male vs female

Males are more vividly colored than females, displaying slate-blue wings sharply contrasting with their rufous backs and tails. The male's tail has a single broad black band at the tip. Females exhibit a more uniform rufous coloration on their wings and back, with black barring throughout and multiple narrow black bands on the tail, making them appear less vibrant than males.

Juvenile

Juvenile American kestrels resemble adult females but have darker streaking on their underparts and may appear less distinctly marked overall. Their plumage is more subdued, and young birds lack the full brilliance of mature individuals. Juveniles molt into adult plumage by their first winter, reducing differences as they mature.

Size

8.7 - 12.2 in/2.8 - 5.8 oz

There's more to learn about American Kestrel

View full details

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

General appearance

The sharp-shinned hawk is approximately the size of a crow, measuring 10-14 inches and sporting a wingspan of 21 inches. Their coloration varies between a blue-gray on top and pale reddish hue below. They are characterized by their squared-off tail tip and small heads. Their legs are pencil-thin, and they exhibit a broad, rounded wing shape, with a long and square-tipped, notched tail.

Male vs female

While generally small, female sharp-shinned hawks can escalate to almost the same size as a male Cooper's Hawk. The size parody among the species sometimes makes a distinction in the field perplexing and demands expert birding skills.

Juvenile

Young sharp-skinned Hawks differ from adults in coloration, starting as brown above with striped markings below. Compared to young Cooper's Hawks, juveniles of this species may demonstrate more blurry streaking on their lower-body. Over time, these youthful streaks gradually give way to the monotone, pale reddish coloration of their underside observed in adulthood.

Size

9.1 - 13.4 in/3.1 - 8.4 oz

There's more to learn about Sharp-Shinned Hawk

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How to tell the American Kestrel from the Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Visual differences

The American Kestrel (9-12 inches) is smaller than the Sharp-Shinned Hawk (10-14 inches). Kestrels have vibrant plumage with a rusty orange back, slate-blue wings (males), and distinct facial markings featuring vertical black stripes. Their tails are pointed. In contrast, the Sharp-Shinned Hawk displays a blue-gray back, pale reddish underside, and a square-tipped tail, with pencil-thin legs and rounded wings. Juvenile Kestrels are more uniformly colored, while juvenile Sharp-Shinned Hawks show brown upperparts with blurry streaked underparts before maturing to the adult coloration.

Key differences and behavior

American Kestrels and Sharp-Shinned Hawks both exhibit distinct behaviors and preferences. Kestrels, found in open areas like farmlands and urban spaces, primarily hunt insects and small mammals. In contrast, Sharp-Shinned Hawks prefer dense forests, focusing on small birds and occasionally small mammals. Kestrels use elaborate aerial displays for courtship and often nest in cavities or artificial boxes, whereas Sharp-Shinned Hawks perform high-flying acrobatics during courtship, nesting high in trees. Kestrels do not visit bird feeders, but Sharp-Shinned Hawks may frequent them to hunt other birds. Despite both species' aerial agility, Kestrels are known for hovering, while Sharp-Shinned Hawks exhibit rapid, agile chases.

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American Kestrel or Sharp-Shinned Hawk?

American Kestrel

How to recognise an American kestrel?

Habitat

What do American kestrels like to eat?

What does an American kestrel sound like?

Song

There's more to learn about American Kestrel

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

How to recognise a sharp-shinned hawk?

Habitat

What do sharp-shinned hawks like to eat?

What does a sharp-shinned hawk sound like?

Call

There's more to learn about Sharp-Shinned Hawk

American Kestrel

There's more to learn about American Kestrel

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

There's more to learn about Sharp-Shinned Hawk

How to tell the American Kestrel from the Sharp-Shinned Hawk

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

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American Kestrel

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Sharp-Shinned Hawk

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