California · Summer breeder

Sharp-shinned Hawks in California

When sharp-shinned hawks are present in California, when they nest, which native California plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5a–11a yard.

Hawks and eagles (Accipitridae)Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatus

Status in California: Summer breeder
Nesting window: March–June
Broods: 1 per season
Hardiness zones: USDA 5a–11a

When to expect sharp-shinned hawks in California

Sharp-shinned Hawks are summer residents in California, arriving shortly before nesting begins in March and leaving after the young are independent.

Mediterranean along the coast and Central Valley, alpine in the Sierra Nevada, and desert in the southeast.

Nesting in California

Across California, sharp-shinned hawks typically nest from March–June. Plan around that window: February for setup, June for clean-out.

Dry summers with little rain from May to October; water and summer-blooming natives matter more than extra seed.

Sharp-shinned Hawks don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as chokecherry, ponderosa pine, rabbitbrush for nest sites.
Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.

Native California plants that attract sharp-shinned hawks

Of the regional native plants we track for California, these 8 provide food or cover sharp-shinned hawks use:

Tall goldenrod

Solidago altissima · Perennial

Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Ponderosa pine

Pinus ponderosa · Tree

Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.

Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa · Shrub

Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.

Palo verde

Parkinsonia florida · Tree

Seed pods and insect-rich spring bloom.

Velvet mesquite

Prosopis velutina · Tree

Seed pods and cover for Verdins and quail.

Coast live oak

Quercus agrifolia · Tree

Acorns anchor Acorn Woodpecker granaries and scrub-jay caches.

Oregon white oak

Quercus garryana · Tree

Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.

Feeding sharp-shinned hawks through the California year

Top foods: None — it hunts live prey at feeders.
In California's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for sharp-shinned hawks · Best feeder for sharp-shinned hawks

Frequently asked

Are sharp-shinned hawks in California year-round?

No. Sharp-shinned Hawks are summer breeders in California and leave for the winter.

When do sharp-shinned hawks nest in California?

Nesting in California typically runs March–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–8 eggs, incubated for 30–35 days.

What native plants attract sharp-shinned hawks in California?

Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Palo verde, Velvet mesquite, Coast live oak, Oregon white oak are native plants in California that provide food or cover for sharp-shinned hawks.

Other backyard birds in California

Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren House Finch Purple Finch Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Red-winged Blackbird Pine Siskin Northern Mockingbird Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Yellow-rumped Warbler House Sparrow European Starling Steller's Jay California Scrub-Jay Mountain Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Oak Titmouse Juniper Titmouse Pygmy Nuthatch Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Costa's Hummingbird Lesser Goldfinch Cassin's Finch California Towhee Spotted Towhee Gambel's Quail California Quail Western Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe Black Phoebe Acorn Woodpecker Gila Woodpecker Ladder-backed Woodpecker Nuttall's Woodpecker Cactus Wren Verdin Bewick's Wren White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Varied Thrush Violet-green Swallow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove White-winged Dove American Crow Common Raven Cooper's Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Wild Turkey Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Pine Grosbeak Red Crossbill Western Tanager Hooded Oriole Phainopepla Black-throated Sparrow Lark Sparrow Green-tailed Towhee California Thrasher Clark's Nutcracker Yellow-billed Magpie Western Screech-Owl Hooded Merganser Band-tailed Pigeon Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat Yellow-breasted Chat Orange-crowned Warbler Warbling Vireo Western Kingbird Vermilion Flycatcher Ash-throated Flycatcher Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Green Heron Great Egret Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Barn Owl Burrowing Owl Lewis's Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker White-headed Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lapland Longspur Horned Lark Blue Grosbeak Cactus Wren Greater Roadrunner Yellow-billed Cuckoo Yellow-headed Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle Rock Pigeon

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.