Chinese sparrowhawk

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The Chinese sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis) belongs to the family Accipitridae. These Chinese sparrowhawk species are distributed in Russia, China, Taiwan, Indian subcontinent, Indonesia, Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Taxonomy of Chinese sparrowhawk

  • Scientific Name: Accipiter soloensis
  • Common Name: Chinese sparrowhawk
  • French: Épervier de Horsfield; German: Froschsperber; Spanish: Gavilán ranero;
  • Other names: Falco Soloënsis Horsfield, 1821; Chinese goshawk;
  • Family: Accipitridae › Accipitriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
  • Species author: (Horsfield, 1821)
Accipiter soloensis was earlier included in the genus Falco. It is closely related to A. francesiae.

Indian birds - Image of - Chinese sparrowhawk - Accipiter soloensis
Indian birds - Image of - Chinese sparrowhawk - Accipiter soloensis

Description

The Chinese sparrowhawk is a small bird of prey, measuring 25 to 35 cm. The male weighs 140 grams. The female is slightly larger and weighs 200 grams. The wingspan is 50 to 60 cm. Adult has prominent black wing tips. The male is grey above and white below. The male sparrowhawk has red eyes and the female has yellow eyes. Their call is a sharp keee-keee-keee sound.

Habitat

These sparrowhawk species inhabit forests, open woodland, open country with trees, plantations and ricefields.

Feeding habits

These bird species feed on frogs, lizards and large insects.

Breeding

The sparrowhawk breeding season is from early May to August. The nest platform is built on the fork of a tree and the clutch size is 2-5 eggs.

Distribution

These sparrowhawk species are distributed in Russia, China, Taiwan, Indian subcontinent, Indonesia, Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Movement Patterns

These sparrowhawk species are completely migratory. They breed in Southeast China, Taiwan, Korea and Russian Siberia. They pass through Southeast Asia and winter in Indonesia and Philippines. They occasionally visit Indian subcontinent.

Status and conservation

The Chinese sparrowhawk species has wide range and the population is considered least vulnerable. Habitat loss is the main threat to the survival of these species.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these bird species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".

Biological classification of Accipiter soloensis
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Accipitriformes
Family:Accipitridae
Subfamily:-
Genus:Accipiter
Species:A. soloensis
Binomial name:Accipiter soloensis
Distribution:Russia, China, Taiwan, Indian subcontinent, Indonesia, Philippines, Southeast Asia;
Feeding habits:lizards, frogs and insects;
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern

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Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juvenile_Chinese_Sparrowhawk_in_flight.JPG
Image author: Ariefrahman | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
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