Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
- IdentificationVisual tips about this species
- BehaviourHabitat, behaviour, and food
- PopulationSubspecies and numbers
- ReproductionNesting and eggs
Identification
The Sparrowhawk is about the same size as a Kestrel and has a similarly long tail but its wings have rounded not pointed tips and are shorter as if not fully extended. Whether soaring or gliding, Sparrowhawks have a characteristic flap-flap-glide action.
Ageing
Juveniles similar to females, but with rufous fringes on brown upperparts and wider brown barring on the underparts.
Voice
Adults near the nest make various 'keking' noises, like Goshawks, but weaker and less menacing. In late summer the young birds squeal for food.
Sexing
Sexually dimorphic. Males have rufous barring on underparts and blue-grey upperparts. Females much larger and browner.
Length
35cm
Behaviour
Often hunts by skimming low along the sides of woods, hedges or walls, sometimes flicking over the top of a hedge to surprise a bird on the other side.
Migration
Largely a resident in Britain and Ireland but juveniles can disperse widely during August. It can also be an autumn and winter visitor from the continent. Birds from Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe are migratory.
Habitat
Breeds and winters in woodland, particularly coniferous, and also occurs in winter in farmland and even gardens.
Food
Mainly small birds, but the larger female will take bigger prey including Starlings and Thrushes.
Population trends
Declined markedly during the pesticide era of the 1950's and 1960's but has since recovered and is now commoner than at any time this century.
Subspecies
The nominate race A.n.nisus breeds across the region except in Corsica and Sardinia where the smaller race A.n.wolterstorffi occurs.
Population in Britain and Ireland
32 000 breeding pairs in Britain with a further 11 000 in Ireland. Including non-breeders, by the end of summer the resident population will probably be around 170 000 birds.
Where in Britain and Ireland
After the Kestrel, the second commonest raptor in Britain, occurring largely in areas where there are trees. Not present on the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Isles. Some birds occur on passage and in winter from the continent.
Population in Europe
150,000-170,000 breeding pairs widespread throughout most of Europe. The UK is a stronghold with about 34000 pairs. Russian population 140000-180000 Turkish population 3000-10000.
Where in Europe
A widespread bird, resident in most of Europe but many birds migrating south from Scandinavia can be seen, for example, from Falsterbo (Sweden) in the autumn.
Nests
From early May, nest is a shallow platform, usually near the junction of trunk and branches, in varied wood types. An increase in numbers has seen them nesting in suburban areas with suitable trees.
Eggs
4-5, white with dark brown blotches, laid in April to June. Incubation takes 42 days. Young fledge after 32 days. 1 brood per year.
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