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Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
Eurasian Sparrowhawk, photographed by Paco Gómez

Photo: Paco Gómez · Wikimedia · CC-BY-SA 2.0 (licence)

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About the Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Fairly small, long-tailed hawk with broad, rounded wings (not pointed like kestrels). Soars occasionally, but more often seen in quick hunting flight chasing small birds, or perched quietly in shade. Note golden-yellow eyes, barred underparts (barring grayish on female, rusty on male). Juvenile brownish above through first year. Smaller and much less bulky than Northern Goshawk, and with horizontally barred instead of vertically striped underparts. Occurs in woodland, forest, farmland, and urban areas with hedges and wooded patches; sometimes hunts in gardens.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 108 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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