From Opus

Accipiter brevipes

Photo by lior kislev in Eylat, Israel.

[edit] Identification

30-37 cm. Female is larger than the male. Blue-grey above, with dark wingtips, and barred reddish below. The adult female is slate-grey above with darkish wingtips, barred reddish brown below, dark throat line. The juvenile is dark brown above and has dark-streaked underparts. It shows a dark throat line.

[edit] Similar Species

Levant Sparrowhawk usually shows four "fingers" which often produces an impression of pointed wings while Eurasian Sparrowhawk shows five-six "fingers". Levant Sparrowhawk therefore shows a flight silhouet that is surprisingly similar to Common Kestrel.

[edit] Distribution

Mainly eastern Europe and western Asia. Migrates through Middle East and winters in eastern Africa. In Europe: Greece, the Balkans and southern Russia.

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.

[edit] Habitat

Deciduous woodland, in dry, hilly or lowland areas, often along rivers.

[edit] Behaviour

It nests in trees, building a new nest, lined with green leaves, each year. 3-5 eggs are laid.

Diet includes small birds, insects and lizards in woodland, relying on surprise as it flies from a perch to catch its prey unaware.

The call is a sharp "kee-wick".

[edit] External Links