Japanese Sparrowhawk

Japanese Sparrowhawk

A small hawk, not a high-pitched one.

Characteristics

Japan's smallest hawk. The kanji notation is enough to be written as "sparrow hawk", and at first glance it is only about the size of a turtledove. Males and females differ in body size and color. Males are slightly smaller than females, with a bluish-black dorsal surface and a slightly orange belly. The back of the female is lighter gray than that of the male, and the belly has a brown horizontal line. The eye ring and the base of the beak are yellow. The iris is red.

Calls

During the breeding season, they make high-pitched calls such as "squeaky" and "pyo-pyo". It seems to sing a lot when it is flying or when it is perching on a tree to loosen its food.

Picture of Japanese Sparrowhawk

Ecology

Inhabits forests in flatlands and mountains. They act in pairs and fly to Japan from around spring to breed. It builds a nest in a tree and lays its eggs. They feed on small birds such as sparrows and starlings, as well as insects. While raising children, they sometimes fight with crows.

There are also examples of nesting in roadside trees near urban areas.

Habitat

I found a nesting pair in Hachioji city. There was a bird that chased after crows with a high-pitched call. When I observed it for a while, it caught food every 10 minutes or so, perched on a branch, removed its feathers, and then fed it to the chicks in the nest. There were two chicks on the day of observation.

Pictures

Introducing a picture of Japanese Sparrowhawk.

Picture of Japanese Sparrowhawk1|A male with a blue-black back.
A male with a blue-black back.
Picture of Japanese Sparrowhawk2|Female guarding the nest.
Female guarding the nest.
Picture of Japanese Sparrowhawk3|A juvenile bird peeking out of its nest.
A juvenile bird peeking out of its nest.
Picture of Japanese Sparrowhawk4|It was catching birds and plucking their wings.
It was catching birds and plucking their wings.
Return to Picture book
Pictures of Japanese Sparrowhawk.

Picture book

Common Teal

Common Teal

Also good at diving smoothly.......ead more.

Little Egret

Little Egret

A heron with a fashionable summer crest.......ead more.

Indian red admiral

Indian red admiral

bright orange Nymphalidae......ead more.

Asian Swallowtail

Asian Swallowtail

Common swallowtail butterfly.......ead more.

Whitesaddle goatfish

Whitesaddle goatfish

Swimming in small groups near the bottom of the water.......ead more.