The Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus, is a widespread and highly specialized raptor. This bird of prey is a master of navigating dense environments, utilizing its short, broad wings and long tail for precision maneuvering through trees and hedges. The species occupies a distinct niche in the ecosystem as an avian predator, feeding primarily on other birds.
The Core Diet: Primarily Small Birds
The Sparrowhawk’s diet consists primarily of small perching birds, known as passerines. Records indicate that Sparrowhawks prey on over 120 different bird species, with the specific composition depending on local availability. Common prey includes finches, tits, sparrows, and starlings, often targeted around areas where they congregate, such as garden bird feeders.
A pronounced difference in size between the sexes, known as sexual dimorphism, influences their prey choice. The smaller male Sparrowhawk typically hunts birds weighing up to about 40 grams, roughly the size of a Mistle Thrush. His smaller stature allows him to be more agile in dense cover, pursuing smaller, quicker targets, and he requires an estimated 40 to 50 grams of food daily.
The female is significantly larger, sometimes up to 25% heavier than the male, enabling her to take on more substantial prey. Females regularly capture larger birds like thrushes and starlings, and are strong enough to subdue species up to 500 grams, including young pigeons and doves. She consumes an estimated 50 to 70 grams of meat daily.
During the breeding season, fledglings form a significant portion of the diet, sometimes accounting for around 40% of the prey items recorded. The dependence on small, common birds ensures the raptor’s success across various habitats, from dense woodland to suburban parks. The male is primarily responsible for bringing food to the female and the young during the early nesting period.
Beyond Birds: Mammals, Insects, and Other Prey
While birds are the staple food source, the Sparrowhawk’s diet is occasionally supplemented by other prey. These alternatives are taken opportunistically, often when avian prey is scarce or by less experienced juvenile birds. Small mammals are sometimes hunted, including voles, shrews, and mice.
The hawk will occasionally capture bats, often striking at them near dusk or dawn. Small reptiles, such as lizards, and amphibians are rarely consumed but have been recorded in dietary studies. Insects represent a negligible portion of the overall food intake.
Consumption of carrion is rare, as the Sparrowhawk is a hunter of live prey. The inclusion of these non-avian items demonstrates dietary flexibility, preventing starvation during periods of low bird abundance.
Hunting Tactics and Prey Capture
The Sparrowhawk’s hunting success is attributed to a unique strategy centered on speed, surprise, and maneuverability. They are adapted to hunt within restricted spaces, using a low flight path along hedges, walls, and forest edges to remain concealed. This method allows the hawk to burst from cover, ambushing unsuspecting birds with short-range acceleration.
The element of surprise is paramount, as the Sparrowhawk’s hunting success rate is relatively low, estimated at around 10 percent of attempts. They rely on the confusion caused by their sudden appearance to snatch a bird before it can react effectively. High-density areas of small birds, such as gardens with feeding stations, become favored hunting grounds due to the concentrated prey.
Once a bird is captured, the Sparrowhawk typically carries it to a fixed location known as a “plucking post,” often a low branch, log, or stone. Here, the hawk plucks the feathers and removes indigestible parts before consuming the flesh. The more agile males tend to hunt deeper within wooded cover, while the larger females may hunt in more open areas.