Species: Sparrowhawk (Accipter nisus)
Family: Hawks, Eagles, et al (ACCIPITRIDAE)
Category: Birds
Location: NW
A. Birds
More extensive information on birds can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Hawks, Eagles, et al (ACCIPITRIDAE)
This is a large but much persecuted family of raptors, with strong, hooked bills for hunting live prey. They have broad wings, unlike the falcons, and engage in soaring flight. The female is larger than the male.
C. Sparrowhawk (Accipter nisus)
This is a resident breeder, although some overwinter in Africa. The females are 25% bigger than the males, the largest known difference of any bird. At 31000 pairs in 2016 and relatively stable its conservation status is GREEN.
Plants with the word 'hawk' in their name (Hawkweed, Hawkbit) were thought to be eaten by hawks to improve their eyesight.
