Sparrowhawk Bird Facts (Accipiter nisus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Sparrowhawk is a small, agile raptor with short, broad wings and a long tail. Males are predominantly bluish-grey above with orange-brown barring on the underparts. They have piercing yellow to orange eyes, hooked black beaks and yellow legs.

Females are significantly larger than males, with brown upperparts and brown barring on white underparts. Juveniles resemble females but have brown eyes and may show rufous edges to their back feathers.

Size

Length

28cm to 38cm

Wingspan

55cm to 80cm

Weight

110g to 340g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Grey

Secondary Colour

White Brown

Beak Colour

Black Yellow Grey

Leg Colour

Yellow

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

White

Beak Colour (Female)

Black Yellow Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Sparrowhawk can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Sparrowhawk can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Sparrowhawk is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Sparrowhawk is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Sparrowhawk can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Sparrowhawk is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Sparrowhawk is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Sparrowhawk is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Sparrowhawk is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Sparrowhawk is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Sparrowhawk is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Sparrowhawk is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Sparrowhawks are widely distributed across Europe and Asia, from the British Isles to Japan and south to Tanzania in East Africa. They inhabit a variety of wooded habitats, including deciduous and coniferous forests, parks, and large gardens.

In the UK, Sparrowhawks are resident year-round and can be found in most areas with suitable woodland cover. Some northern populations may move south during harsh winters, while others remain in their breeding territories.

They are one of the UK's most common birds of prey, with a population estimated at over 60,000 mature individuals.

Elevation Range

Up to 4,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Sparrowhawk. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Belarus Belgium Bhutan Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary India Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Japan Jordan Kuwait Latvia Lebanon Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Moldova Monaco Montenegro Morocco Nepal Netherlands North Korea Norway Oman Pakistan Poland Portugal Romania San Marino Saudi Arabia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Syria The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates Yemen

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Mongolia Russia Tajikistan Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Bangladesh Cyprus Djibouti Egypt Ethiopia Hong Kong Kenya Laos Libya Macao Myanmar Niger Palestine Qatar Sudan Tanzania Thailand Turkmenistan Vietnam

Species that pass through the area during migration

Malta Taiwan

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Brunei Chad Faroe Islands Gambia Iceland Malaysia Mali Mauritania Somalia South Africa Sri Lanka Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Western Sahara

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Sparrowhawk is renowned for its exceptional agility, particularly in woodland environments. Its ability to navigate swiftly through dense forest, perform elaborate aerial displays, and catch prey mid-flight demonstrates remarkable manoeuvrability and precision.

Strength 65

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not the strongest raptor, Sparrowhawks possess considerable strength for their size. Females, being larger, are notably stronger. Their ability to carry prey and perform aerial acrobatics indicates good strength-to-weight ratio, though they're not as powerful as larger birds of prey.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Sparrowhawks show high adaptability, thriving in various wooded habitats from forests to urban parks. Their recovery from pesticide-induced declines and ability to adjust to human-altered landscapes, even utilising gardens and bird feeders, demonstrates significant adaptability.

Aggressiveness 80

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Sparrowhawks are notably aggressive hunters, especially when pursuing prey. Their bold hunting tactics, including ambush techniques and high-speed chases, reflect a high level of aggression. However, they're not typically aggressive towards humans or larger animals.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

While Sparrowhawks are capable of sustained hunting flights and can perform energy-intensive aerial displays during breeding season, their endurance is moderate compared to some migratory raptors. Their hunting style relies more on short bursts of speed and agility rather than prolonged pursuits.

Diet

Sparrowhawks primarily hunt small to medium-sized birds, with species like finches, tits, and thrushes forming the bulk of their diet. The smaller males generally eat birds like sparrows and tits, while the females can subdue larger prey like starlings, thrushes, and even pigeons.

They are skilled hunters, often catching prey in flight or by ambushing them in dense cover. Occasionally, they may take large insects or small mammals, like rodents, bats and reptiles.

Behaviour

Sparrowhawks are known for their swift, agile flight through woodlands. They often employ a 'flap-flap-glide' pattern when hunting, using cover to surprise prey.

During the breeding season, males perform spectacular sky dances, making steep dives and climbs to attract females.

Vocalisation

Sparrowhawks are generally silent outside the breeding season. During courtship and nesting, they become highly vocal and produce a rapid, high-pitched 'kew-kew-kew' call.

When alarmed, they emit a sharp, piercing 'kik-kik-kik'. Females have a louder, more guttural call compared to males.

Nesting & Breeding

Sparrowhawks typically breed between April and August. Males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract females, including high circles and steep dives. Once paired, they often reuse the same nesting site for years.

Nests are constructed by both sexes, usually in a fork of a tree near the trunk. They are made of twigs and lined with bark flakes. Females lay 4-6 pale blue eggs with brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 33 days, primarily done by the female while the male provides food. Chicks fledge after 24-30 days but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Sparrowhawks faced historical declines due to pesticide use in the mid-20th century.

They have since recovered in many areas but still face threats from habitat loss and illegal persecution. Ongoing monitoring is crucial to ensure their continued recovery.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

2,020,000 - 3,190,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Sparrowhawks in woodland edges or gardens, especially near bird feeders
Listen for alarm calls from small birds, which often indicate a Sparrowhawk's presence
Watch for their characteristic low, fast flight, with a few quick wingbeats, between trees
In the UK, observe local parks or wooded areas during early morning or late afternoon
Males tend to hunt more in woodland, females more in fields and open spaces

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Family:

Accipitridae

Average Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Max Lifespan

20.2 years ^[4]

Predators

Adult Sparrowhawks have few natural predators, but they may fall victim to larger raptors like Goshawks or Eagle Owls. Nestlings and eggs are vulnerable to corvids, squirrels, and pine martens.

Did You Know?

Sparrowhawks have exceptionally keen eyesight, estimated to be 8 times sharper than human vision.
Female Sparrowhawks are up to 25% larger than males, one of the most pronounced size differences among raptors.
They can catch prey in mid-air, demonstrating remarkable agility and speed.
Only ten percent of the Sparrowhawk’s hunting attacks are successful.
The Sparrowhawk is a sacred bird in Slavic mythology.
The Sparrowhawk has been used in hunting for centuries.

FAQs

How fast can Sparrowhawks fly?

Sparrowhawks use speed and the element of surprise to catch their prey. They may reach speeds of up to 31 miles per hour (50 km/h) in the moments before they strike.

How do I stop Sparrowhawks from killing my garden birds?

The Sparrowhawk’s habit of catching garden birds can be rather upsetting to many bird lovers.

In this situation, the best thing to do is to place your feeders near dense cover to give the smaller birds a fighting chance at escape. Sparrowhawks need to eat regularly to survive, just like other birds, even if it may be difficult to watch.