Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

Sparrowhawk male
Sparrowhawk male
Sparrowhawk
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.
Sparrowhawk
Sparrowhawk
Sparrowhawk
They are active throughout the year, including in winter snow.
Sparrowhawk male
Sparrowhawk male
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.
Sparrowhawk hen
Sparrowhawk hen
Sparrowhawk hen
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). TV aerials make good look-out points.
Sparrowhawk male
Sparrowhawk male
Sparrowhawk
The male is smaller and more agile and eats mainly sparrow-/finch-sized birds. They also have eyes in the back of the head.
Sparrowhawk with Goldfinch
Sparrowhawk with Goldfinch Sparrowhawk with Goldfinch
Sparrowhawk with Goldfinch
Sparrowhawk with pigeon
Sparrowhawk with pigeon
Sparrowhawk with pigeon
Hen sparrowhawk plucking pigeon while the poor pigeon appeared to be still alive.
Sparrowhawk with pigeon
Sparrowhawk with pigeon
Sparrowhawk with pigeon
A video sequence shows the pigeon still trying to move wings and feet.
Sparrowhawk
Sparrowhawk
Sparrowhawk
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.
Sparrowhawk male
Sparrowhawk with starling
Sparrowhawk female
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.
WARNING: PHOTOS ON THE FIRST LINK ARE GRUESOME - NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH OR BEFORE A MEAL