The Sharp-Shinned Hawk of New England

By Evan

http://aviary.owls.com/sharp_shinned_hawk/sharpie.html

What kind of birds stick together? Vel-crow!!! My report is not about a crow, but it is about the sharp-shinned hawk. The crow does have something in common with the sharp-shinned hawk though. In my report you will learn about the habitat, appearance, diet, offense and defense, locomotion, migration, babies, and other interesting facts involving sharp-shinned hawk.

This type of hawk lives in the woods. It nests in pine and evergreen trees. It builds its nest about twenty to thirty feet above ground. It uses sticks and twigs. This hawk builds a new nest every year.

The sharp-shinned hawk has yellow eyes, a brown cap or head, and black upper wings. It gets to be about ten inches long with a twenty-one inch wingspan. It is small and fast. It has rounded wings and a squared-off tail.

What does this hawk eat? It eats little birds like sparrows and pigeons. It even eats frogs, insects, and if it can get some, rabbits! It can catch fish and the other animals with its sharp talons.

In other areas, it has to defend itself from bald eagles. In New England, it has to defend itself from the crows. When it attacks little birds, it sneaks up on them when they don’t expect it.

This hawk can camouflage by looking like the branch of a tree. The brown and black body can help it blend in with its surroundings.

This bird flies a lot. It is very active. It lands in trees. It can also land on the ground. It walks on the ground.

The female sharp-shinned hawk lays four to five eggs in the nest. After a short time, they hatch and start to chirp for food. The mother flies off in search of an animal to get for dinner.

I like the name of the sharp-shinned hawk. I like how they lay their eggs twenty to thirty feet above the ground’s surface for protection. I also like how they camouflage themselves. The next time that you see this bird, you can remember this information about the sharp-shinned hawk.

http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/nsbirds/bns0088.htm

Page  created by Deb Gurwicz, Orchard School Faculty Member
To the People and Projects
Comments? Email Mrs. Gurwicz
Last Updated: 10/30/07