Sharp-shinned hawk

Description:

Relatively small raptor. It is a bird hunter and quite nimble in flight.

Notes:

This bird was out hunting songbirds during a bit of a snow storm. It just missed a male cardinal. There was actually a hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus) quite nearby, pressed against the bark of a tree and staying perfectly still. The hawk did not see it and moved on. While not uncommon in these parts, it is rare to see them stay for very long this close to the ground. I was happy to get some video footage at eye level.