Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus

Wingspan

60–75cm

Body length

30–40cm

Weight

110–200g

Profile

Life expectancy
Clutch size: 4–5 eggs
Global status
Activity
Migration
Falconry

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

Plumage

Eyes

Legs & feet

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.

Diet

Prey examples

Songbirds

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk specialises in small birds. Small rodents play a role only in exceptional cases.

Hunting

Ambush hunting Pursuit

It uses hedges, trees and other cover to approach small birds unnoticed. With short wingbeats and tight turns it pursues its prey through the vegetation.

Distribution

Range

Europe, Asia & North Africa

Status in Germany

Breeding birdWinter visitorPassage migrant

Habitat

Forests, forest edges, hedges, parks and gardens with cover and plenty of small birds.

Old mixed broadleaf forest with clearings and forest edges — Forests

Large old trees and dense greenery in an urban park — Parks & urban woodland