Sparrowhawks are so-named because of their preference for avian prey, as birds make up about 98 per cent of the sparrowhawk's diet.

Statistics
Sparrowhawks have a body length of 28-38cm, a wingspan of 60-75cm and weigh 0.1-0.3kg.

Physical description
They have relatively short, broad wings. The males are grey and their wings are more pointed than the brown females. Their under-parts are distinctively barred. Males are very much smaller than the females.

Distribution
Sparrowhawks are widespread across Europe, Asia and North Africa.

Habitat
Their preferred habitat is in and on the edge of wooded country.

Diet
To avoid competition between the two sexes, males concentrate on smaller birds, such as sparrows and tits, and females hunt larger birds including collared doves, thrushes and starlings.

Behaviour
They are fast fliers, and often make quick dashes over hedgerows or along the ground when chasing prey. Prey is sometimes captured using a downward plummet from the sky with closed wings. They often use a particular plucking post or old nest to pluck the feathers from prey.

Reproduction
Their nests are built with twigs and lined with feathers, and are positioned in the branches of a tree, about 9m (30ft) off the ground. After laying in April to June, the female incubates 3-6 eggs for 39-42 days. The chicks fledge after about 24-30 days, but are not independent until about 3-4 weeks after leaving the nest. Pairs are monogamous, but will often find a different mate for the next breeding season.

Conservation status
Sparrowhawks are not considered to be globally threatened, although numbers declined very badly due to the use of pesticides. The population in Britain has now recovered almost everywhere and there may be as many sparrowhawks breeding as kestrels.

Voice
They emit a chattering kew-kew-kew call.