Sharp-shinned Hawk in February
Where sharp-shinned hawks are in February, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
February in the Sharp-shinned Hawk's year
February still feels like deep winter, but days are lengthening and the first stirrings of the breeding season begin — resident birds start singing on mild mornings and some early nesters are already claiming territories. Late-winter storms can be the hardest feeding days of the year.
For the Sharp-shinned Hawk specifically, February is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 61 states and provinces where sharp-shinned hawks occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where sharp-shinned hawks are in February
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In February, sharp-shinned hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in February
Sharp-shinned hawks are not nesting in February. The season runs April–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, sharp-shinned hawks put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in February
- Feeder birds, especially juncos and sparrows
A winter regular at busy feeders; dense shrub cover near feeding areas gives small birds an escape route.
Don't let feeders run empty during late-winter storms; birds burn enormous energy staying warm. This is also the month to clean and repair nest boxes before early nesters move in.
Full Sharp-shinned Hawk diet guide → · Best feeder for sharp-shinned hawks →
Watching sharp-shinned hawks this month
Sharp-shinned hawks are settled and predictable in February, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region sharp-shinned hawks are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Sharp-shinned Hawk month by month
Sharp-shinned Hawk by state
Frequently asked
Where are sharp-shinned hawks in February?
In February, sharp-shinned hawks are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do sharp-shinned hawks nest in February?
No — sharp-shinned hawks typically nest April through June at mid-latitudes.
What do sharp-shinned hawks eat in February?
Feeder birds, especially juncos and sparrows.
Sources
- Sharp-shinned Hawk — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Sharp-shinned Hawk life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Sharp-shinned Hawk — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.