Sparrowhawk

The Sparrowhawk is a small, quick bird of prey found in woodlands. It has short, rounded wings and a long tail with bars, which help it move swiftly through thick plants. Male Sparrowhawks are grey on top with reddish-brown bars underneath. Females are browner with white and fine brown bars underneath. Both males and females have a pale stripe above their eyes. Their eyes are yellow or orange, and they have long yellow legs. The Sparrowhawk is common throughout Britain and Ireland. It lives in woodlands, farmland with hedgerows, and more and more often in suburban gardens. They hunt by surprise, using plants and other cover to sneak up on small birds at feeders or near the edges of woods. Their flight pattern includes quick wing flaps followed by short glides. They are often seen flying low along hedgerows or diving suddenly into gardens. Smaller birds often give alarm calls when Sparrowhawks are nearby.