The Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) is a small Accipiter hawk, with males 9.1 to 11.8 in long, with a wingspan of 17 to 23 in and weight from 2.9 - 4.1 oz. As common in Accipiter hawks, females are distinctly larger in size, averaging some 30% longer, and with a weight advantage of more than 50% being common. The female measures 11 to 15 inches in length, has a wingspan of 23 to 27 in and weighs 5.3 to 7.7 oz. The wings measure 5.6–9.0 in each, the tail is 4.7–7.5 in long and the tarsus 1.8 -2.3 in. Measurements given here are for the northern group, but they are comparable for the remaining subspecies. Adults have short broad wings and a medium-length tail banded in blackish and gray with the tip varying among individuals from slightly notched through a square to slightly rounded (often narrowly tipped white). The remiges (typically only visible in flight) are whitish barred blackish. The legs are long and very slender (hence the common name) and yellow. The hooked bill is black and the cere is yellowish.
