Bird Profiles - Sparrowhawk
Status in UK
Currently 35,000 pairs.
Numbers have increased since the sixties, when DDT and similar pesticides were withdrawn from use. However, as with many raptors, this birds suffers from persecution and is often wrongly accused of being the main cause of songbird decline - research by the Trust and other bodies has proved that these declines are in fact mainly due to habitat loss.
Brief Description
Adult males have a slate grey back and white underparts. These are closely barred with orange. The grey tail has 4-5 dark bars.
Females are larger, with brown upper parts, a white stripe over the eye and dark barring underneath. They are nearly twice the size of the males. Broad, rounded wings and long tails enable the Sparrowhawk to chase prey through trees. Flies fast and low, using surprise as it’s main attacking weapon.
This bird never hovers, unlike the Kestrel.
Diet
The Sparrowhawk only eats birds. The female takes both small and medium sized birds up to pigeon size. The smaller male chases smaller birds, such as tits.
Habitat
The Sparrowhawk only eats birds. The female takes both small and medium sized birds up to pigeon size. The smaller male chases smaller birds, such as tits.
Habitat
The male normally stays within the cover of woodland and gardens. The larger female hawks over farmland and open country
Breeding
Builds a twig nest in conifer and broad-leaved woodland and even thick hedges in early summer. Between 4 - 6 eggs are laid and incubated for 33 - 35 days.
