Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
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Accipiter nisus
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Mass
~220 g
Habitat
Forests
Diet
Small vertebrates
Lifespan
~4 лет
How to recognize it
The Eurasian Sparrowhawk has a quick, compact look, with short broad wings and a long tail that suit it to weaving through trees. The size gap between male and female is striking, so a bird seen nearby can look surprisingly different depending on its sex.
It is usually quiet outside the breeding season, but then gives a sharp, excited calling note that can sound repetitive and urgent. It hunts from cover with a sudden burst of speed, and will also use gardens and city parks, where small garden birds become easy targets.
It lives in many kinds of woodland, especially near edges and open patches, and northern populations move south for winter while others stay put. Its food is mainly small to medium-sized birds, and its numbers fell hard in the mid-20th century before recovering again.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Eurasian Sparrowhawk has a quick, compact look, with short broad wings and a long tail that suit it to weaving through trees. The size gap between male and female is striking, so a bird seen nearby can look surprisingly different depending on its sex.
It is usually quiet outside the breeding season, but then gives a sharp, excited calling note that can sound repetitive and urgent. It hunts from cover with a sudden burst of speed, and will also use gardens and city parks, where small garden birds become easy targets.
It lives in many kinds of woodland, especially near edges and open patches, and northern populations move south for winter while others stay put. Its food is mainly small to medium-sized birds, and its numbers fell hard in the mid-20th century before recovering again.
How to recognize it
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Accipiter nisus Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Eurasian sparrowhawk Encyclopedia article