Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Adult males have bluish-grey upperparts and distinctive orange-brown barred underparts. Adult females are significantly larger, with grey-brown upperparts and fine grey-brown barring underneath. Juveniles are browner overall with heavily barred or spotted underparts and warm buff fringes to the feathers.

Short rounded wings, long squared-off tail, rapid flap-and-glide flight action, and stark size difference between sexes.

Length: 28-38 cm, Wingspan: 59-80 cm, Weight: 110-342 g (females are much heavier and larger than males)

Usually silent outside the breeding season. Gives a shrill, repeated 'kee-kee-kee' or 'kak-kak-kak' alarm call near the nest site.

Primarily small birds up to the size of thrushes and pigeons, caught by surprise after a rapid, low-level flight or ambush from cover.

Woodlands, forests, parklands, agricultural land with mature trees, and increasingly in suburban gardens and coastal scrub.

Mostly sedentary (resident), though northern populations are migratory, and UK populations may undergo short-distance movements or coastal dispersal in autumn.

Builds a bulky stick nest high in the fork of a tree, usually in conifers or dense woodland. Lays 4-6 eggs in late spring, incubated primarily by the female while the male provides food.

Northern Goshawk, which is substantially larger and bulkier with a broader chest and heavier flight. Kestrels can also be confused in flight, but kestrels hover, whereas sparrowhawks flap and glide.

Acts as an apex avian predator in its woodland and fringe habitats, helping to regulate small bird populations and maintaining prey health by targeting the weak or sick.

Least Concern (IUCN), with stable or recovering populations across its range following historical declines due to organochlorine pesticides.

Look along woodland edges, hedgerows, and coastal paths where small birds congregate. They often fly low and fast, using surprise tactics, or can be spotted soaring high during display flights in spring.

Female Eurasian Sparrowhawks can successfully hunt prey as large as themselves, such as woodpigeons and jays, whereas males typically target smaller passerines like tits and sparrows.