- Wildlife
- Birds
- Birds of prey
- Sparrowhawk
Harry Hogg Harry Hogg 016.jpg "Sparrowhawk credit Harry Hogg - Harry Hogg")
About
Sparrowhawks are one of our smallest birds of prey, the male being somewhere between a blackbird and a collared dove in size. The female is larger, up to the size of a pigeon. Sparrowhawks are excellent bird-hunters, catching small species like finches, sparrows and tits using a mixture of methods that include ambushing prey from a perch or flying low and suddenly changing direction.
How to identify
Sparrowhawks have rounded wings and a relatively long, narrow tail. Males are small with a blue-grey back and white underparts showing reddish-orange barring. The female is much larger with browner plumage above and grey bars below. They both have reddish cheeks.
Where to find it
A common, diurnal raptor, sparrowhawks are found almost everywhere except the far north of Scotland.
Habitats
When to find it
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Novermber
- December
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
How can people help
To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.