Sparrowhawk

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Woodland, gardens.
Diet: Small birds.
Best time to spot: Ambush hunter at feeders.

When to look

Resident in the UK, so it can be found year-round. More on the season in UK raptors and owls.

How rare is it?

The Sparrowhawk sits in our Common tier for the UK: one of the birds you can expect on most days out in the right habitat. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Levant SparrowhawkLegendary · Open woodland (very rare)
• Northern GoshawkRare · Mature forest
• Blue TitCommon · Woodland
• Eurasian BlackcapCommon · Woodland
• European RobinCommon · Gardens
• Great Spotted WoodpeckerCommon · Woodland

Tell it apart

Side-by-side ID guides: Sparrowhawk vs Kestrel.

Kit that helps

Best bird feeders and food for UK gardens. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.