- Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Taxobox
name = Eurasian Sparrowhawk
status = LC
status_system = iucn3.1
image_caption =
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Falconiformes
familia =Accipitridae
genus = "Accipiter "
species = "A. nisus"
binomial = "Accipiter nisus"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus, 1758)The Eurasian Sparrowhawk ("Accipiter nisus") is a smallbird of prey in the familyAccipitridae which includes many other diurnal raptors such aseagle s,buzzard s, harriers and other sparrowhawks.It is a widespread species throughout the temperate and subtropical parts of the
Old World . It is mainly resident, but birds from colder regions of north Europe and Asia migrate south for the winter, as far as North Africa andIndia .This species nests in trees, building a new nest each year. It hunts
bird s in woodland or cultivated areas, relying on surprise as it flies from a perch or hedge-hops to catch its prey unaware.This bird is a small raptor with short broad wings and a long tail, both adaptations to manoeuvring through trees. The male is 29-34 cm long with a 59-64 cm wingspan, and is slate-grey above and barred reddish below. The
male was formerly called a musket, and the gun called amusket was named after the bird.The female is much larger at 35-41 cm length and a 67-80 cm wingspan. She is barred grey below, and can be confused with the similarly sized male
Goshawk , but lacks the bulk of that species. The juvenile is brown above and barred brown below. The flight is a characteristic "flap – flap – glide".The
New World species formerly known as the Sparrow Hawk ("Falco sparverius") is now called theAmerican Kestrel . The new name is preferable, since this bird is not an "Accipiter" hawk but afalcon .Gallery
References
* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
External links
* [http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/118_SparrowhawkAnisus.pdf Ageing and sexing (PDF) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta]
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