Sharp-shinned Hawk (Sharpie)
You can tell that this is an adult Sharpie by looking at the red color of its eyes.
According to "informed sources" on the internet, during its first year, a Sharpie will have yellow eyes. During its second year, a Sharpie will likely have orange eyes. During its third and following years, a Sharpie will have red eyes.
Different sources on the internet say that 80% of fledgling Sharpies will not live till the end of their first year. However, once they have lived to their second year, estimates are that the average lifetimes of the remaining 20% will either be till they are three years old or till they are eleven years old. Quite a large variation in the estimated lifespans, no?
Just goes to show you that the internet has a lot of conflicting information. However, I'm voting for the eleven year average lifespan, since I really enjoy watching Sharpies hunting and I also enjoy their mating rituals (which I've only seen once before).
Oh, and a couple of other internet sources state that the color of their eyes helps prospective mates to judge the capability of a Sharpie to reproduce, as they apparently become capable of reproducing during their second year and thereafter, but apparently not during their first year (during which time their eyes are still yellow - of course).
Long Live the Sharpies!!!
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Sharpie)
You can tell that this is an adult Sharpie by looking at the red color of its eyes.
According to "informed sources" on the internet, during its first year, a Sharpie will have yellow eyes. During its second year, a Sharpie will likely have orange eyes. During its third and following years, a Sharpie will have red eyes.
Different sources on the internet say that 80% of fledgling Sharpies will not live till the end of their first year. However, once they have lived to their second year, estimates are that the average lifetimes of the remaining 20% will either be till they are three years old or till they are eleven years old. Quite a large variation in the estimated lifespans, no?
Just goes to show you that the internet has a lot of conflicting information. However, I'm voting for the eleven year average lifespan, since I really enjoy watching Sharpies hunting and I also enjoy their mating rituals (which I've only seen once before).
Oh, and a couple of other internet sources state that the color of their eyes helps prospective mates to judge the capability of a Sharpie to reproduce, as they apparently become capable of reproducing during their second year and thereafter, but apparently not during their first year (during which time their eyes are still yellow - of course).
Long Live the Sharpies!!!