Collared Sparrowhawk

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iCollared Sparrowhawk

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Falconiformes
Family:	Accipitridae
Genus:	Accipiter
Species:	A. cirrocephalus

Binomial name

Accipiter cirrocephalus
Vieillot, 1817

The Collared Sparrowhawk, Accipiter cirrocephalus is a small, slim bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.

1 Identification
2 Range
3 Habitat
4 Food
5 Nesting
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Identification

Upperparts grey with chestnut collar; underparts mainly rufous, finely barred with white. Similar colouring to Brown Goshawk but smaller. Fast flexible flight. Body length 30-40 cm, wingspan 55-80 cm. Weights of adults: male 125 g, female 240. Females are noticeably larger.

[edit] Range

The Collared Sparrowhawk is widespread through Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea except for sandy deserts.

[edit] Habitat

Forests and woodlands.

[edit] Food

Mainly small birds caught in flight; occasionally insects.

[edit] Nesting

Nests in trees on a platform of sticks and twigs. Clutch size usually 3-4. Incubation period is about 35 days, with chicks fledging about 24-33 days after hatching.

[edit] References

BirdLife International (2004). Accipiter cirrocephalus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 13 December 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
Marchant, S.; & Higgins, P.J. (Eds). (1993). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol,2: Raptors to Lapwings. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-553069-1