167. Levant Sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes)

Levant Sparrowhawks breed in parts of eastern Europe and winter in east Africa. They are similar in size to Eurasian Sparrowhawks but have narrower, more pointed wings, giving them a somewhat falcon-like appearance in flight. They have characteristic black wingtips, obvious in flight, which are most pronounced in adult males. The photo is of a female; males are slightly smaller and have a blue-grey back and head, and orangey barring on the breast. Juveniles are dark brown above and coarsely streaked below. Females and juveniles also both have a thin dark stripe running down the centre of their throat. Their preferred habitat is usually lowlands, with deciduous forests, orchards or copses, often near rivers.

Levant Sparrowhawk, ©Chris Batty, used with permission.

Levant Sparrowhawk painting.

Many thanks to Chris Batty for allowing me to use his fine Levant Sparrowhawk photo, which I found via Arkive. My painting has somehow ended up being a bit slimmer and more upright than in the photo, and the shade of grey is not right, but I like it :o)