![]() nisus, the nominate subspecies, was described by Linnaeus in 1758. Within the species itself, six subspecies are generally recognised: Geographic variation is clinal, with birds becoming larger and paler in the eastern part of the range compared to the western part. The Eurasian sparrowhawk forms a superspecies with the rufous-chested sparrowhawk of eastern and southern Africa, and possibly the Madagascar sparrowhawk. According to Greek mythology, Nisus, the king of Megara, was turned into a sparrowhawk after his daughter, Scylla, cut off his purple lock of hair to present to her lover (and Nisus' enemy), Minos. The current scientific name is derived from the Latin accipiter, meaning 'hawk' and nisus, the sparrowhawk. The Eurasian sparrowhawk was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 landmark 10th edition of Systema Naturae, as Falco nisus, but moved to its present genus by French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760. English folk names for the Eurasian sparrowhawk include blue hawk, referring to the adult male's colouration, as well as hedge hawk, spar hawk, spur hawk and stone falcon. ![]() The Old Norse name for the Eurasian sparrowhawk, sparrhaukr, was thought to have been coined by Vikings who encountered falconry in England. The species' name dates back to the Middle English word sperhauk and Old English spearhafoc, a hawk which hunts sparrows. Most of the Old World members of the genus are called sparrowhawks or goshawks. Within the family Accipitridae, the Eurasian sparrowhawk is a member of the large genus Accipiter, which consists of small to medium-sized woodland hawks. The species features in Teutonic mythology and is mentioned in works by writers including William Shakespeare, Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Ted Hughes. Falconers have utilised the Eurasian sparrowhawk since at least the 16th century although the species has a reputation for being difficult to train, it is also praised for its courage. Studies of racing pigeon deaths found that Eurasian sparrowhawks were responsible for less than 1%. It has also been blamed for decreases in passerine populations. The Eurasian sparrowhawk's hunting behaviour has brought it into conflict with humans for hundreds of years, particularly racing pigeon owners and people rearing poultry and gamebirds. However, its population recovered after the chemicals were banned, and it is now relatively common, classified as being of least concern by BirdLife International. Organochlorine insecticides used to treat seeds before sowing built up in the bird population, and the concentrations in Eurasian sparrowhawks were enough to kill some outright and incapacitate others affected birds laid eggs with fragile shells which broke during incubation. This species is now one of the most common birds of prey in Europe, although the population crashed after the Second World War. Mortality in young males is greater than that of young females and the typical lifespan is four years. The probability of a juvenile surviving its first year is 34%, with 69% of adults surviving from one year to the next. The chicks hatch after 33 days and fledge after 24 to 28 days. Four or five pale blue, brown-spotted eggs are laid the success of the breeding attempt is dependent on the female maintaining a high weight while the male brings her food. Eurasian sparrowhawks breed in suitable woodland of any type, with the nest, measuring up to 60 cm (24 in) across, built using twigs in a tree. The Eurasian sparrowhawk is found throughout the temperate and subtropical parts of the Old World while birds from the northern parts of the range migrate south for winter, their southern counterparts remain resident or make dispersive movements. Males tend to take smaller birds, including tits, finches, and sparrows females catch primarily thrushes and starlings, but are capable of killing birds weighing 500 g (18 oz) or more. Though it is a predator which specialises in catching woodland birds, the Eurasian sparrowhawk can be found in any habitat and often hunts garden birds in towns and cities. The female is up to 25% larger than the male – one of the greatest size differences between the sexes in any bird species. Adult male Eurasian sparrowhawks have bluish grey upperparts and orange-barred underparts females and juveniles are brown above with brown barring below. The Eurasian sparrowhawk ( Accipiter nisus), also known as the northern sparrowhawk or simply the sparrowhawk, is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Northern sparrowhawk call With common starling prey
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |