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Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is a small bird of prey that loves to hunt. With its sharp eyes and quick wings, it can swoop down to catch its favorite meals, like small birds.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk has short, broad, rounded wings and a relatively long tail, perfect for agile flight. Males are slate-grey above with rufous-barred underparts, while females are browner with grey barring. Both possess bright yellow or orange eyes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAccipitriformesFamilyAccipitridaeGenusAccipiter
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
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Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Female sparrowhawks are much larger than males, sometimes weighing twice as much!

Sparrowhawks build messy nests high in trees using twigs and branches.

Their bright yellow or orange eyes provide super sharp vision for hunting.

They mostly hunt other birds, often catching them in mid-flight!

Special abilities

Ability

Forest Navigator

Eurasian Sparrowhawk can weave through dense trees at high speed because of its short, rounded wings that provide incredible agility.

Ability

Surprise Striker

Eurasian Sparrowhawk has exceptional stealth and uses ambush tactics that help them catch unsuspecting birds by surprise.

Ability

Sharp-Eyed Hunter

Eurasian Sparrowhawk can spot tiny movements from far away because of its keen eyesight that helps pinpoint small prey.

Measurements & details

Length
29-41 cm
Wingspan
59-80 cm
Weight
0.11-0.342 kg
Lifespan
3-12 years
Top Speed
70 km/h
Clutch Size
3-6
Incubation
33-35 days
Migration Distance
2000 km

Diet & Feeding

These fierce hunters mainly eat small to medium-sized birds they catch by surprise!

Age differences: Young chicks are fed by parents; juveniles gradually learn to hunt on increasingly larger prey as they mature.

Primary Foods

  • Parus major
  • Erithacus rubecula
  • Passer domesticus
  • Turdus merula
  • Sturnus vulgaris

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Watch birds from a distance and never try to touch or catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Eurasian Sparrowhawk?

29-41 cm

What is Eurasian Sparrowhawk's wingspan?

59-80 cm

How much does Eurasian Sparrowhawk weigh?

0.11-0.342 kg

How long does Eurasian Sparrowhawk live?

3-12 years

How fast can Eurasian Sparrowhawk move?

70 km/h

What does Eurasian Sparrowhawk eat?

These fierce hunters mainly eat small to medium-sized birds they catch by surprise!

Where is Eurasian Sparrowhawk usually found?

Forests

How does Eurasian Sparrowhawk hunt?

Ambush

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