- Life expectancy
- Global status
Identification
Short, rounded wings, a long tail and thin legs characterise this small bird hunter. The male is clearly smaller than the female. Its similarity to the goshawk calls for a look at size and proportions.
Colours
Male
Blue-grey upperparts and usually rusty-orange barred underparts. The iris of adult males turns orange to reddish.
Behaviour
Alternating short bursts of wingbeats with glides, it moves through terrain rich in cover. During the breeding season it lives secretively; in winter it is seen more often in gardens. Its hunts can lead into dense undergrowth.
Breeding & rearing
The nest is preferably built high in conifers. Parks and other urban woodland can also serve as breeding territories. While raising the young, the pair needs enough small birds within reach.
