Yard Critter of the Week - Sharp-shinned Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk.

This is a bird in transition.

And thus was tricky one to identify.

Look at the bird's eye. The yellow iris is indicative of a young bird.

The color and pattern on the breast are more indicative of an adult.

It is growing up.

This is another example, along with the Cooper's Hawk, of a bird that preys on other birds. And when it visits the yard the other birds vanish. I spotted this one out my home office widow, not fifteen feet away. If flew to our crabapple tree, and then alit on this branch. No hunting today. I'll be watching to see if it sticks around.

🦅  🦅  🦅  🦅  🦅

Thanks to Sandra Keller for confirming the ID of this yard critter.

🐝  🦋  🕷  🦌  🦅  🦃  🐇  🐿

You can find all of the Yard Critter posts listed here.