Sparrow Hawk

Sparrow hawks are small birds of prey . The male bird has a bluish-grey back and wings and orangey-brown parts on their chest and belly. The female bird have a brown back and wings with brown bars underneath. They have bright yellow or orange eyes with yellow legs and talons. As with most birds of prey the female is larger.

When flying sparrow hawks tend to soar between several powerful wing beats. (flap-flap-glide) they never hover and are extremely agile even when going really fast. Their call is a shrieking ke-ke-ke sound.

The diet consists mainly of small birds. Since the female is the larger bird she will eat : thrushes , starlings and occasionally pigeons. The male bird preys on : tits, finches and sparrows. Their hunting technique relies on stealth.They will watch from a covered perch for signs of their prey, once their quarry is spotted the bird then flies fast and low ; using any available cover so that the attack comes as a surprise.

Sparrow hawks nest in trees. Their nests are large platforms made from twigs. The eggs measure mm by 32 mm. They are smooth , non-glossy and bluish white with brown markings. The eggs are incubated by the female only , although both parents will help to feed the young.