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Sharp-shinned Hawk


Sharp-shinned Hawk
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-12-30
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 400, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/320 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-12-31 10:51
Viewed: 558
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
My garden becomes a real bird photographer paradise ! :-) Yesterday, as I was watching my feeders in case of a nice new bird, I saw a bird I'd never saw in one of my neighbor's tree, I grabbed the 40D, open the door and start shooting, after he left I saw something on a branch not far from where he was. I got nearer and took a picture of it. I posted it on the workshop (not for the faint at heart...) :-) Here's one of the shot I made, he was pretty far but I managed to get something that is not bad. This one shows the rear but I have others showing the front too. After looking in my bird book I was pretty sure that it was a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus, 25-35 cm). I'm glad I looked outside !

From: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/

A small hawk, the Sharp-shinned Hawk is a regular visitor to bird feeders, where it eats birds, not seed. The male and female show a greater disparity in size than any other American hawk; the female is nearly twice the weight of the male.

Description

Small hawk.
Tail long, barred, and ends with a square tip.
Wings short and rounded.
Adults with blue-gray back and wings, reddish barring on underparts.

Size: 24-34 cm (9-13 in)
Wingspan: 43-56 cm (17-22 in)
Weight: 87-218 g (3.07-7.7 ounces)
Sex Differences
Sexes similar in plumage; female substantially larger.

Sound
Call a series of sharp "kik" notes.

Conservation Status

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is listed as a species of concern in several states and provinces. Although migration-count data have indicated a decline in populations, breeding survey data indicate an increase. Like most raptors, this species is poorly monitored and its precise habitat requirements are poorly known. In particular, understanding its sensitivity to forest fragmentation and various land-use practices will be important for conserving future populations.

Other Names
Épervier brun (French)
Gavil�n pajarero (Spanish)


Cool Facts

After the young leave the nest, the adults pass food to the young in mid-air. The parents give the prize to the first young hawk to reach them, hovering briefly and kicking the prey outward just as the fledgling arrives.


Sharp-shinned Hawk numbers declined during the DDT pesticide years (mid-1940s to 1972), but rebounded after DDT was banned.


Sharp-shinned Hawks migrate south out of Canada in the fall and are observed at hawk watches in very large numbers. The hawks follow similar landscape features and often are concentrated in certain areas. Over 11,000 Sharp-shinned Hawks were seen on one October day at Cape May Point, New Jersey.


The habit of hunting around bird feeders has been suggested as an explanation for the decrease in numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks seen at eastern hawk watches. Fewer hawks may be migrating south, preferring instead to stay farther north near a dependable food source: feeder birds.
lousat, jaycee, eqshannon, rcrick, Adanac, cecilia, dejo, CeltickRanger, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 6 N: 3063] (11326)
  • [2007-12-31 11:01]

Thanks for this another great bird's pic and have a happy new year !!! Luciano

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2007-12-31 11:40]

Hi Mario,

I have seen several of these here - usually in a similar pose as they constantly look around for prey. I skipped the workshop - I have seen what they do - aaaaagh. Very nice shot from the distance. Good details of the profile, feathers and plummage.

Jane

There is this ongoing discussion in forum about Canon lens, this one is in question as well...which is better. From this and other pics you have taken, I would go with this lens..the 100-400. It is as sharp and clear. The details are simply amazing. Your shooting at 400mm here..My gosh. It is a gem and so is the lens..
Bob

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1064 W: 64 N: 2234] (9195)
  • [2007-12-31 12:22]

Bonsoir Mario,

Bonne année!
Mariki

Abrazo Mario, días ya sin ver tu galería. Tu toma preciosa como de costumbre. Te deseo un buen 2008 , a tí y a tu familia.
Un abrazo desde españa: J. Ignasi Tejedor.

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5960] (22528)
  • [2007-12-31 14:06]

Hi Mario. First may i say a very good new year to you and all the best for 2008 my friend. your pictures have been an inspiration to me.
once again you have posted a fine shot of the beautiful looking bird. with good detail and colour. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 648 W: 42 N: 1198] (3860)
  • [2007-12-31 15:34]

Hi Mario,
Excellent capture of this Sharp-shinned Hawk difficult shot under the tree canopy and back light too, but the exposure is perfect and the fill flash has done the job, very good detail in the feathers, Lovely colours too, all the best for the year ahead, Cheers Rick :)

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1111 W: 1 N: 4518] (15132)
  • [2007-12-31 17:04]

Hello Mario,
Both images are excellent Mario, as is your notes. Thanks Mario and Happy New Year.
Rick

Beautiful shot of a awesome bird!!

Only critique is that the BG is distracting. I would select the BG and blur with a Gaussian Blur. Might post a workshop if I feel patient enough to try it.

TFS
Liezel

Wishing you and your love ones the joyous Happy New Year...

Cheers,
Cecilia

Wonderful capture, Mario.
Wish I had such a garden...
Beautiful bird; amazing colors.
TFS
Annick

Bonjour Mario,
cette prise est superbe, quel rapace magnifique, je n'en n'ai jamais vu de pareil,
bravo
amitiés,
Pat

  • Great 
  • dejo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 355 W: 51 N: 476] (2058)
  • [2008-01-02 12:53]

Hello Mario,
what a great catch, really great Hawk and captured beautiflly!
nice colors and composition
regards, Dejan

salut Mario

je suis allé voirs les worshps aussi, et je dois te dire là où tu as
retouché j'aimes bien plusss celle-là ici, donc l'original
où l'on vois les branches des arbres, les détails du plumage
du rapace sont excelent et j'aimes ton pov par derrière et de côté

TFS

Asbed

Bonsoir Mario,

Une belle capture de cet Épervier brun sur la branche, il semble observer son entourage. La prise de vue permet de voir avec précision les détails et les couleurs de l'oiseau. Une belle réussite, merci du partage.

Pierre

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