From Opus

Accipiter striatus

Includes White-breasted Hawk

Juvenile Accipiter straitus by fuzzhead
Location: Washington, USA.

[edit] Identification

The smallest of the North American accipiters, at a length of 25-35cm (10-14"), and wingspan 51-71cm (20-28"). The females account for the high end of these size estimates; the usual rule of sexual dimorphism is reversed in accipiters. Eye color ranges from orange-red to yellow, with dark iris. It has a long, slender body, with a small head and narrow, barred tail similar to that of the Cooper's Hawk, but differing from the latter in being squared or slightly notched at the tip (99% of birds -- the rest have rounded tail); tail additionally has a terminal white tail band that is narrower than in Coopers hawk. The back is gray, except in juveniles, where it is dark, streaky brown. Breast is buffy with darker brown barring, coarse in the juvenile, but fine in the adult.

However, plumage is not very useful in identification, as all three North American Accipters can look very similar at various stages of life; size, wing shape, and flying characteristics are the most reliable indicators; look for relatively deep and rapid wingbeats in the Sharp-shinned hawk.

[edit] Distribution

Occupies a broad band across Alaska and Canada in the summer, except for the arctic latitudes. Year-round in the central western U.S. from the Canadian border to Mexico and south through Mexico. In winter it can be found throughout the U.S. and Mexico, excepting the colder climes of the central and eastern states.

[edit] Taxonomy

A number of sub-species are recognized, three of which are considered by some authorities to be separate species. These are: A. (s.) chionogaster (White-breasted Hawk), A. (s.) ventralis (Plain-breasted Hawk), and A. (s.) erythronemius (Rufous-thighed Hawk).

[edit] Habitat

Fairly ubiquitous; typically found in open forests and forest edges.

[edit] Behaviour

Solitary while hunting and nesting. Carnivorous; Diet consists mostly of small birds, taken either on the ground or in flight. Will stake out bird feeders, patiently waiting for an opportunity to strike. Will also take small mammals and reptiles, and larger insects.

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