# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Accipiter_nisus_Meneer_Zjeroen.jpg&width=800) Photo: Meneer Zjeroen, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Accipiter_nisus_Meneer_Zjeroen.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Accipiter ## 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 - **Forest Navigator:** Eurasian Sparrowhawk can weave through dense trees at high speed because of its short, rounded wings that provide incredible agility. - **Surprise Striker:** Eurasian Sparrowhawk has exceptional stealth and uses ambush tactics that help them catch unsuspecting birds by surprise. - **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 - **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 - **Hunts:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — A common prey item in woodlands. - **Hunts:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Frequently preys on these small garden birds. - **Eaten by:** Eurasian Eagle Owl (*Bubo bubo*) — Larger raptors can prey on younger sparrowhawks. - **Shelter:** [Scots Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scots-pine) (*Pinus sylvestris*) — Often nests in the crowns of mature conifers. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch birds from a distance and never try to touch or catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Sparrowhawk? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sierra-maria-los-velez-natural-park) — Mainland, ES · Park - [Armañón Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armanon-natural-park) — País Vasco, ES · Park - [Tamadaba Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tamadaba-natural-park) — Canarias, ES · Park [View all places to see Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eurasian-sparrowhawk) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eurasian Sparrowhawk: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk)