Sharp-shinned Hawks overwinter in our area, and will occasionally stake out our bird feeder or take a Starling in the field (depicted below). These are small hawks that breed in Canada and northern States, and overwinter in the south and in Central America. They are present year-round in parts of South America in the Andes and in the eastern countries.

A beautiful bird - excellent fliers, and fierce predators. Their main prey is small birds. The photo below shows a Sharp-shinned Hawk with a Starling as prey (hence the content warning). Since I am angry as hell with our treasonous administration this is my allegory of what the American People should look like fighting ICE and the horrendous corruption within the administration.

#BirdsOfMastodon #BirdPhotography #SharpShinnedHawk #DarkTable #Predation

Yesterday, I heard a ruckus in the yard, and looked out to see this gorgeous female Sharp-shinned Hawk with her prey, a White-throated Sparrow, standing on the snow. I went to get my camera, but figured she wouldn't stick around. But, as it turned out, she flew up to a branch about 25 feet away from me and leisurely dined for about 15 minutes.

#birds #birding #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #biodiversity #naturephotography #wildlife #SharpshinnedHawk

Well, it is cold out there,which means a bird has to eat! This sharp-shinned hawk stopped by moments ago with a fresh caught house sparrow.

#sharpshinnedhawk #yxe #gardenbirds #birds #birdphotogarphy

I decided to pay a return visit to The Ramble in Central Park, NYC. I hadn't been back since last May's Warblerfest. While I didn't catch as many bird species, I did get some interesting shots. See Alt-text for id's and other info.
2nd of 3 sets.

#nature #NaturePhotography #birds #Wildlife #naturecommunity #photography #BirdsOfMastodon #birdphotography #birding #biodiversity #SharpshinnedHawk #blackandwhitewarbler #AmericanRedstart

So… I'm not in the Sharpie's good books today. I went out to check the feeders, causing the birds on the ground to startle as usual.

As I do so this ball of feathery death swoops down over my head from the roof, missing the birds I've just scattered. I've just spoiled dinner and e is Not Happy.

Mind you, given the new heap of feathers on the lawn this morning, e didn't do too badly for breakfast.

Edit: could be a Cooper's this time, as suggested elsewhere?

#Birds #Hawk #SharpShinnedHawk