Sharp-shinned hawks are a small species of accipiter hawk found throughout most of North America. They can be found year-round across much of their breeding range, though some populations do migrate south for the winter. Sharp-shinned hawks inhabit forests across a variety of elevations and climates. Here is an overview of where sharp-shinned hawks can be found throughout the year.
Breeding Range
Sharp-shinned hawks breed throughout much of forested North America. Their breeding range extends:
- From Alaska across Canada to the Maritime Provinces
- South throughout the western mountains and northeastern states
- As far south as southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and the Appalachian Mountains
Within this broad range, sharp-shinned hawks tend to thrive in certain habitat types and elevations:
- Coniferous and mixed forests – They prefer habitats with a dense tree canopy, which provides cover for nesting and hunting.
- Higher elevations – They are most abundant in montane forests above 1,600 ft in elevation.
- Edge habitats – Forest openings, meadows, suburban areas with trees provide hunting opportunities.
Key Breeding Areas
Some key breeding areas for sharp-shinned hawks include:
- The Pacific Northwest – From southeast Alaska through British Columbia to Northern California. The coastal rainforests provide ideal habitat.
- The Rocky Mountains – Colorado, Wyoming, and other mountain states support breeding populations.
- Northeastern U.S. – Including Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Appalachian Mountain states.
- Eastern Provinces of Canada – Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Wintering Range
While some sharp-shinned hawks are permanent residents, others migrate south for the winter. Their winter range extends:
- From southeastern Canada south throughout the eastern U.S.
- Along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia through California.
- As far south as Panama in Central America.
Some of the key wintering areas include:
- Southeastern U.S. – Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida.
- Southern California and Arizona.
- Northern Mexico.
Year-Round Range
Sharp-shinned hawks can be found year-round throughout much of their breeding range, including:
- Western mountain states – California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico.
- Midwestern states – Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri.
- Northeastern states – New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine.
- Most of Canada including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.
These resident sharp-shinned hawks may migrate altitudinally, moving to lower elevations in winter. But they do not make substantial migrations north or south.
Key Habitats
As mentioned earlier, sharp-shinned hawks thrive in certain habitat types. Here is more detail on their key habitats:
Coniferous Forests
Coniferous forests with dense stands of trees are preferred sharp-shinned hawk habitat. They provide cover for nesting and roosting, and allow the agile hawks to launch surprise attacks on bird prey. Conifer forests used include pine, fir, spruce, hemlock, redwood, and cedar.
Mixed Deciduous-Coniferous Forests
In the northeastern U.S., sharp-shinned hawks often nest in mixed forests containing conifers as well as deciduous trees like maple, oak, and birch. The diversity offers good cover and prey opportunities.
Forest Openings
Sharp-shinned hawks hunt along forest openings like meadows, wetlands, suburbs, and edge habitats. These openings provide hunting perches and a variety of bird prey.
High Elevations
Higher elevation montane forests from 1,600 – 9,000 ft are preferred sharp-shinned habitat. They tend to avoid lowland areas. High elevations provide more food sources and fewer competitors.
Population in Key Areas
Sharp-shinned hawk populations and density vary across their range. Some key population statistics include:
Area | Estimated Population | Notes |
Western North America | 140,000 | Greatest density in Pacific Northwest |
Eastern North America | 260,000 | Greatest density in New England |
Coastal California | 12,000 | Important wintering area |
Florida | 8,000 | Also an important wintering area |
As these numbers show, sharp-shinned hawks are found in the greatest densities along the Pacific coast and in New England. Coastal California and Florida host significant wintering populations as well.
Habitat Threats
Sharp-shinned hawk populations are declining in some areas, primarily due to habitat loss. Some key threats to their habitats include:
Deforestation
Logging, land clearing, and fragmentation of forests reduce nesting and hunting habitats. Sharp-shinned hawks favor large, contiguous forest tracts.
Urbanization
As suburbs expand into forests, nest sites and habitat are lost. Human disturbance also disrupts breeding sharp-shins.
Wildfires
Increasingly severe wildfires in the western U.S. are burning up nesting habitats. However, fire may also renew habitat long-term.
Climate Change
A warming climate threatens to shift forest habitats. Sharp-shinned hawks may lose optimal breeding areas.
Conservation Status
Currently, sharp-shinned hawks have a conservation status of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List. However, some regional populations are declining. Conservation measures include:
- Habitat protection – Preserving intact forests through parks, reserves, and sustainable logging regulations.
- Nest-site protection – Buffers around active nest trees to minimize human disturbance.
- Reforestation – Replanting logged areas or forests lost to fire.
- Managing urban forests – Providing nesting and hunting habitat in suburbs and parks.
Conclusion
In summary, sharp-shinned hawks occupy a broad range across forested areas of North America. They reach their greatest densities in coniferous mountain forests of the west and mixed forests of the northeast. While still common, habitat loss is leading to population declines in some regions. Protecting nesting forests will be key to ensuring thriving sharp-shinned hawk numbers into the future. Their agile hunting skills make them a key part of the ecosystems they inhabit.