We have seen this sharp shinned hawk a number of times eying the feeders, either from a roof perch or the thicket across the street. Today the bird seemed to be only interested in a number of sparrows, and let me get very close...not the norm for sharpies. This appears to be a younger bird, due to its yellow eyes. I recently learned that they change from yellow to red as the bird matures. ( thanks Bill) The sharp-shinned is the smallest of the NA accipiters, and is in decline in North America. One thought is that it is being eaten by is larger accipiter "cousin" the coopers hawk, who shares much of the same hunting areas & has drastically expanded its breeding in Massachusetts. Coop's have been doing very well lately.
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