Levant Sparrowhawk
Accipiter brevipes

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– small raptor, size of Common Kestrel
– diurnal migrant
– migrates singly or in small to very large, loose flocks

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>


Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, 1CY
BIF1525, 13/08/2011, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– only four fingers
– breast and belly streaked, distict gular-stripe
– outermost rectrices with more and finer bars than the rest of the tail -> Eurasian Sparrowhawk


Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, 1CY
BIF1526, 13/08/2011, Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan, Michael Heiß
– on greater distance similar to a Kestrel due to narrow hand and pointed wing tip, but note bulging secondaries


Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes
BIF1562, 15/04/2007, Gabel Elzeet, Egypt, Graeme Pegram
– only Accipiter that flocks on migration
– birds with extensive black wing tips are AD M


Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes
BIF1563, 15/04/2007, Gabel Elzeet, Egypt, Graeme Pegram
– flocks make use of thermals

>> ACOUSTIC ID >>>>>

– usually nonvocal during migration

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (v)
Northern Goshawk (v)
Shikra (v)

#raptor #birdofprey #birdsofprey

#ornithology #birdmigration #birdID #birdguide #birding #birdwatching #birdsound #westernpalearctic #europe #vismig #flightcalls #middleeast #northernafrica #workinprogress