Chances are if you see a Sharp-shinned Hawk in your yard you will immediately know it's a hawk as it will be chasing another bird. If the "Sharpie" is just sitting in a tree, as they often do after an unsuccessful attack, its strongly hooked bill and long talons will confirm the fact that it is indeed a bird of prey, despite its small size.

The Sharp-shinned is one of three species of small raptors found in the province. The brightly coloured American Kestrel only inhabits fields and farmlands and is extremely rare in winter. The Sharp-shinned Hawk and fast flying Merlin will both visit feeders to prey on the birds. These species look similar to each other but can be told apart regardless of age or sex by noting the bird's facial pattern. All Merlins show a dark line running down over the face from the bottom of the eye, while Sharp-shinned Hawks lack this line. If you are unable to get a look at the bird's face, another way to tell them apart is by behaviour. Sharpies fly with a series of 4-5 short quick wingbeats followed by a glide. Also, they are very good at maneuvering around trees and bushes. Merlins, on the other hand, are built for speed and are restricted to hunting in open areas. (See Merlin for more details.)

Sharp-shinned Hawks are approximately the size of a Blue Jay but everything about a Sharp-shinned is designed to make it look bigger. For this reason, novice users of bird field guides may mistake the Sharp-shinned for its closest relative, the Coopers Hawk. Coopers Hawks look just like Sharp-shinned Hawks but are a little bigger. Sharp-shinned Hawks are the most common bird of prey to show up at feeders while Coopers Hawks prefer to stay well away from people. Also, there are only a few recent records of Coopers Hawks in Nova Scotia.