Little Sparrowhawk
The little sparrowhawk is a small bird of prey with distinctive features such as a white head and yellow eyes. Discover its lifestyle and distribution.
Appearance
The body weight of this small bird is at most 105 grams, with the males weighing only about 85 grams and otherwise being smaller than the females. A characteristic of the sparrowhawk is the head and beak, which have a white coloration. Also noteworthy are the yellow eyes, which give the bird excellent vision. The plumage is mostly dark brown, with the chest featuring a wavy pattern of black and white. Lastly, it should be mentioned that the little sparrowhawk has a relatively small wingspan but a long tail.
Behavior
The size of the bird is adapted to its preferred habitat, which is mainly found in forests and at the forest edge. However, little sparrowhawks can also be found in mangrove forests, bush savannas, or wetlands. The sparrowhawk remains loyal to its territory and does not undertake long flights to find other habitats. The countries where the bird is most commonly found include: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
Diet
What does this sparrowhawk eat in its natural habitat? The favorite prey of this bird are other small birds, which it catches in the air. It often perches on a tree for long periods, observing its surroundings with its sharp eyes. As soon as prey appears, it strikes swiftly. If the sparrowhawk cannot catch birds, it may also feed on small mammals or reptiles and insects. Naturally, the size of the prey is a consideration, as the sparrowhawk’s small wings cannot carry much weight.
