![Sharp-shinned hawk in flight through a blue sky](https://northlouisianawildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sharp-shinned-hawks-black-bayou-lake-nwr_08-1024x576.jpg)
Did you know that the sharp-shinned hawk is the smallest hawk in the United States?
Sharp-Shinned Hawks
at
a Glance
![Sharp-shinned hawk in flight through a blue sky](https://northlouisianawildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sharp-shinned-hawks-black-bayou-lake-nwr_07-1024x576.jpg)
Key Features:
Sharp-shinned hawks are blue-gray birds with white bellies and orange chests.
Least Concern - Population Increasing
Habitat:
Forests
nesting habits:
Sharp-shinned hawks build flat nests in trees out of twigs.
seasons sharp-shinned hawks are active in our area:
Winter
Diet:
Birds
hunting Behavior:
Sharp-shinned hawks ambush their prey.
Commonly Confused With:
Cooper's Hawks and Merlins
![Sharp-shinned hawk in flight through a blue sky](https://northlouisianawildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sharp-shinned-hawks-black-bayou-lake-nwr_06-1024x576.jpg)
Sharp-shinned hawks are often confused with Cooper’s hawks because both are blue-gray birds. Sharp-shinned hawks have orange chests and white bellies. Cooper’s hawks have reddish bars on their bellies.
![Sharp-shinned hawk flying through blue sky](https://northlouisianawildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sharp-shinned-hawk-black-bayou-lake-nwr898-1600x900.jpg)
Sharp-shinned hawks are often confused with merlins because both are gray birds. Sharp-shinned hawks have longer tails and orange chests.