Hawks and eagles
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
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Accipiter nisus
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Voice
Call
Pascal Christe
Call
Sonothèque ADVL
How to recognize it
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Small hawk with a long tail and short, broad wings
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Male slate-grey above, rufous-barred below; female brown above and barred below
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Female noticeably larger, up to 25% bigger
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Fast low flight with quick wingbeats and brief glides; often around gardens and parks
About the species
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.
Where to find
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In mature city parks with tall old trees, look up to the canopy where Eurasian Sparrowhawk darts out after tits, sparrows, or finches.
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Along canal banks and pond edges with reeds, its quick low flight between shrubs and trees is often the giveaway.
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In quiet courtyards with dense hedges and tree lines, watch for a sudden still perch before the dash.
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In spring and autumn over tree-lined avenues or open vacant lots with scattered trees, its sharp turns and long tail stand out in a chase.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Accipiter nisus Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Eurasian sparrowhawk Encyclopedia article