Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

The (Eurasian) Sparrowhawk is a common resident throughout UK, most of Europe, north Africa and parts of Asia and is a migrant/visitor to most of the rest of Eurasia.

They are active throughout the year, including in winter snow.

The male Sparrowhawk, above, has grey plumage on his head, back and wings with pinkish cheeks and a rufous brown, horizontal-barred front on white with a white vent.

TV aerials make good look-out points. The female Sparrowhawk has brown plumage. So they don't compete, she is much larger than the male and eats larger prey (birds as large as pigeons).

The male is smaller and more agile and eats mainly sparrow-/finch-sized birds. He has more orange eyes. They also seem to have eyes in the back of the head.

Hen sparrowhawk plucking pigeon while the poor pigeon appeared to be still alive.

A video sequence shows the pigeon still trying to move wings and feet.

Sparrowhawks swoop through gardens and woodland chasing prey, unlike Kestrels which hover high and dive. Almost all prey is avian, unlike Kestrels which take voles/mice.

Thanks to Keith Wood for these last 3 photos of a male and 2 female Sparrowhawks hunting in his Essex garden, the centre one showing a grounded Starling which, he said, was let go when the hawk saw him.