Sparrowhawk

The European Sparrowhawk is a small falconiform that inhabits Europe, with a distribution that also covers Italy, where it is the only species of sparrowhawk present. Ranging in size from 27 to 37 cm in length, the European Sparrowhawk exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being larger than males. It is distinguished by its long tail and rounded wings, features that make it easily recognizable among small falconiforms. The male has a slate-gray upper livery, with reddish cheeks and finely barred underparts of brownish-red, while the tail has gray and dark brown bands. The female, in contrast, has darker plumage above (blackish-brown) and lighter below, with dark streaks and a white stripe visible above and behind the eye.
Its natural habitat includes forests and plantations, where it hunts small birds and mammals, shooting them down with extraordinary swooping skill. Its nesting occurs mainly on conifers.
A related species, the Levantine sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes), on the other hand, lives in the eastern area of the Balkan Peninsula and in eastern Europe, reaching as far as Albania. Similar in lifestyle and appearance, the Levantine sparrowhawk differs in lighter-colored livery, with males having grayish cheeks and a neck that fades to tawny, while the underparts are nearly white, with tawny feathers at the wing attachment.
Once considered harmful, sparrowhawks are now valued for the regulatory role they play in small prey populations, helping to maintain ecological balance. These raptors have historically been used in falconry, but today their presence is considered essential for the natural control of the species they feed on.