- Levant Sparrowhawk
Taxobox
name = Levant Sparrowhawk
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
image_width = 250px
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Accipitriformes
familia =Accipitridae
genus = "Accipiter "
species = "A. brevipes"
binomial = "Accipiter brevipes"
binomial_authority = (Severtzov,1850 )The Levant Sparrowhawk ("Accipiter brevipes") is a small
bird of prey in the familyAccipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such aseagle s,buzzard s and harriers.It breeds in forests from
Greece and theBalkans east to southernRussia . It is migratory, wintering fromEgypt across to southwesternIran . It will migrate in large flocks, unlike the more widespreadEurasian Sparrowhawk The Levant Sparrowhawk nests in trees, building a new nest, lined with green leaves, each year. The normal clutch is 3-5 eggs. It hunts small
bird s,insect s andlizard s in woodland, relying on surprise as it flies from a perch to catch its prey unaware.This bird is a small raptor with short broad wings and a longish tail, both adaptations to manoeuvring through trees. It is similar to the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, but its shorter tail and more pointed wings give it a more falcon-like appearance.
Levant Sparrowhawk is 30-37 cm long with a 63-76 cm wingspan. The female is larger than the male, but the difference is not as marked as with Eurasian Sparrowhawk. The adult male is blue-grey above, with dark wingtips, and barred reddish below.
The adult female is slate-grey above with darkish wingtips. She is barred reddish brown below, and may show a dark throat line. The juvenile is dark brown above and has dark-streaked underparts. It shows a dark throat line. The flight of this hawk is a characteristic "flap – flap – glide".
The call is a sharp "kee-wick".
References
* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
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