Sparrowhawk is the name of more than 20 species of small birds related to hawks. Sparrowhawks got their name because they eat mostly sparrows and other small birds. They also prey on larger birds and small animals. Sparrowhawks live in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia. They have short, broad wings and a long, slim tail. These features help them swerve in the air to catch prey.
The Eurasian sparrowhawk lives in Africa, central Asia, and Europe. The male Eurasian sparrowhawk has a gray back and a whitish spot on the back of the neck. Its white breast is marked with reddish-brown bars. The female has a brown back and a white breast with dark gray or dark brown bars. Males measure about 12 inches (30 centimeters) long, and females measure about 15 inches (38 centimeters).
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Most Eurasian sparrowhawks build their nests in evergreen trees. The female lays from three to six whitish eggs spotted with brown.
The American kestrel is sometimes called the American sparrowhawk. This bird is actually more closely related to falcons than to hawks (see Kestrel).
