sharp-shinned hawk

noun

: a common widely distributed American accipiter (Accipiter striatus) that is grayish above, has a chestnut breast, short rounded wings, and a tail with a notched or square tip when folded

called also sharp-shin

Examples of sharp-shinned hawk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Late in the afternoon on Sept. 25 staff members brought out a kestrel and a sharp-shinned hawk for release. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2022 And a sharp-shinned hawk soared into view, turned into the breeze and flapped in place for five seconds, then banked east and swiftly glided out of sight. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 Three continuing sandhill cranes at Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area in Hanson, and a sharp-shinned hawk and a dickcissel at the Manomet Bird Observatory in Manomet. BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2022 There was a Cooper’s hawk and then a sharp-shinned hawk, each appearing to contemplate their trajectory or considering a mouse meal on the ground. Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Oct. 2021 While broad-wings are the big show, other species commonly seen during the fall migrations include falcons, sharp-shinned hawks, American kestrels, ospreys, and northern harriers. BostonGlobe.com, 10 Oct. 2019 The sharp-shinned hawk is one of more than a dozen raptor species that fly south for the winter. Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2019 Officials have spotted deer, coyote and a nest of sharp-shinned hawks, which is listed as a species of concern in Ohio, but nothing truly remarkable for the region. Grant Segall, cleveland, 13 Oct. 2019 Carey said that during October more sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, ospreys, northern harriers, bald eagles, and various species of falcons, such as peregrines, merlins, and kestrels, can be seen migrating. BostonGlobe.com, 10 Oct. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sharp-shinned hawk was circa 1812

Dictionary Entries Near sharp-shinned hawk

Cite this Entry

“Sharp-shinned hawk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sharp-shinned%20hawk. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on sharp-shinned hawk

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!