A Visitor with Wings of Steel

Sparrowhawk in my Garden

When Majesty Took Flight:

Its pale gaze met my own as it landed on the fence of my garden. Its iridescent blue grey feathers shone in the late summer sun. I drew my breath when I saw it. Majesty and beauty in one bird of prey. Its curved bill was dangerous and sharp. But its eyes looked trusting. Then, it spread its wings and beat down hard launching itself into the air. It circled above me for a few seconds until shooting down to its perch.  It ruffled its feathers as it looked at me and I gazed back. Then its magnificent wings took its weight and it began to fly towards the horizon

Sparrowhawk Painting by Aneeshwar

Sparrowhawks have a unique flying style where they flap their wings quickly a few times, then glide, making their flight look bouncy. Because they hunt small birds like tits and finches, they can often be spotted waiting near gardens; however, Since females are larger, they can hunt bigger prey, like pigeons, while males stick to smaller birds.

My wildlife Diaries by Aneeshwar Kunchala

Read below to know more about Sparrowhawk's:

Where can you see ?

You could see a Sparrowhawk almost anywhere in the UK, except for parts of Scotland. They’re most common in woodlands, farmland and gardens.  I saw this in my garden and photographed this amazing bird.

More details ?

• Sparrowhawk feed on mainly small birds like finches, tits and sparrow, etc. You can see anytime of the year.

• Conservation satus - AMBER

• Scientific name: Accipiter nisus

• Average Lifespan: 4 Years

Did you know ?

• Females are much bigger than males (25% larger than males).

• Males have a blue-grey back, and orangey-brown bars on their underparts.

• Females and juveniles have a brown-grey back, and pale underparts with brown barring