Did You Know?
- Scientists recognize two subspecies of the Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk
- This sparrowhawk can sometimes be seen hunting along roads in parts of its range
How The Peregrine Fund is Helping
Though The Peregrine Fund doesn't work directly with Pied Goshawks, our efforts in scientific research, habitat conservation, education, and community development help conserve raptors on a global scale. We also supply literature to researchers from our avian research library, which helps scientists around the world gather and share important information on raptor conservation. We also run the Global Raptor Impact Network which gives raptor researchers tools to more efficiently conduct their own studies while contributing to a global program. GRIN also provides citizen scientists a way to participate in raptor science and conservation.
Where They Live
The Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk has a patchy distribution through subSaharan Africa.
It might be found nesting in pockets of montane forest, perched in exotic pine and poplar plantations within open steppe, or hunting over grassland habitats, gardens, and adjacent open country. Individuals living further from the equator seem to prefer to inhabit areas of lower elevations, compared to those that live closer to the equator.
What They Do
The appropriately named Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk has a rust-red breast and belly. The crown of its head, back and wings are a dark grayish black. Its throat and lower belly are white. It has piercing yellow eyes, a yellow cere, and yellow legs.
This striking bird isn't considered to be migratory, however it might move down to lower elevations during the winter months.
Why They Need our Help
The Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk is categorized as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN. It is common within much of its range, however, in some areas its population is decreasing. This is probably a result of habitat loss.
What They Eat
Sparrowhawks around the world specialize in hunting other birds, often in dense, enclosed forest habitats. In the case of the Rufous-bellied Sparrowhawk, it prefers to prey upon birds of the open country such as francolins, doves, larks, pipits, longclaws, and canaries. It captures these birds "on the wing," meaning it takes them while both birds - predator and prey - are in flight. When not taking birds, it will take off from a perch, going to the ground to grab insects, reptiles, and even small mammals.
Nests, Eggs, and Young
There is still so much for us to learn about the nests, eggs, and young of the Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk. We know that these birds build relatively small stick nests which they build high up in a tree, sometimes along forest edges. Nests usually measure between 40–45 cm across, and 20–30 cm deep.
The female will lay between 2-4 eggs. She must incubate the eggs for around 34 days to keep the eggs safe and warm. When the nestlings hatch they are covered in fluffy white down. They will develop quickly and by the time they are around 31–36 days old, they will be ready to fly from the nest for the first time. Even once they are flying, they will still stay with their parents for several more weeks, learning how to hunt prey and avoid danger.
Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk and the World Center for Birds of Prey
The World Center for Birds of Prey offers fun ways to learn about birds of prey. The visitor center has interactive displays, tours, interesting videos and a children's room with activities from coloring sheets to quizzes to costumes and a touch table for the curious mind. We also have several different birds of prey on display year-around. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers are on hand to answer any questions you may have about Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawks or any other birds of prey.
References:
Global Raptor Information Network. 2021. Species account: Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk Accipiter rufiventris. Downloaded from http://www.globalraptors.org on 26 Aug. 2021
Kemp, A. C. and J. S. Marks (2020). Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk (Accipiter rufiventris), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.rucspa2.01
