This little accipiter is similar in plumage to Cooper’s Hawk, but is smaller overall (about the size of a jay), and proportionally smaller headed and shorter tailed. Females are significantly larger than males and in size may overlap slightly with the smallest male Cooper’s Hawks. Adult: Upperparts are a uniform blue-gray. The crown blends in with the back, without the pale nape found on Cooper’s Hawk. Females have a brownish cast to the gray upperparts. The tail has 3-5 darker bands and a narrow whitish tip. At rest, the tail tip is square or slightly notched. Rufous barring extends down the breast and belly. The undertail coverts are white. At very close range, note the skinny "bird legs" which give this species its name. In flight, the wings are held slightly forward so that the small head barely extends beyond the leading edge of the wings. Juvenile: Young birds are dark brown above with a weak supercillium that generally less obvious than the eyebrow line on a young Cooper's. Whitish underparts have thick blurry streaks extending down the breast through belly. Streaking is heavier and less crisp than it is on a young Cooper's and doesn't become sparse on the belly like it does on Cooper's. Tail is banded, like that of adult.

Length: 25 (cm) Wingspan: 51 (cm)

Voice:

A thin slow series, kik-kik-kik-kik-kik.

Habitat:

Mixed forest, rural and residential areas with sufficient cover.

Behavior:

Flies with alternating glides and quick flapping. Will often pursue small birds into shrubs and trees, where its short wings allow it to maneuver in tight space.

Feeding:

Feeds almost exclusively on small birds. Often hunts at bird feeders.