Common name: Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Scientific name: Accipiter nisus
Family: Accipitridae

Size:
Body length: 28–38 cm
Wingspan: 55–70 cm
Weight: 110–200 g (males), 180–350 g (females)

Identification:
A small, agile raptor with short, rounded wings and a long, narrow tail. Adult males have bluish-grey upperparts and finely barred orange underparts, while females are larger, brown above with grey-brown barring below. Both sexes show yellow to orange eyes and a pale eyebrow. In flight, it appears fast and direct, with rapid wingbeats and sharp turns.

Habitat:
Woodlands, forest edges, gardens, farmland, and urban parks. Frequently seen in areas with trees and bird activity.

Status in the UAE:
Passage migrant and winter visitor. Recorded across various habitats, especially where small birds are abundant.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds mainly on small birds, occasionally insects and small mammals.

Behavior:
A stealthy hunter, often ambushing prey with sudden bursts of speed. Flies low and fast through vegetation or open areas. Solitary and territorial, especially during hunting. Known for chasing birds around gardens and wooded areas.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)