If you’re fascinated by sparrow hawks one of the many questions you may ask your self is “where do sparrow hawks live” This article looks into it
Sparrow hawks live in nests along tree-lines opening to wide spaces, these open wide spaces are where most of their prey forages. They also nest in the lower parts of tree canopy’s near woodland areas. Tall structures with crevices and openings are also great for nest making
There are many different types of hawks in existence, but no hawk is more iconized in sport, legendary myths, and movies like the sparrow hawk. If you’re interested in these birds of prey you may ask yourself where do sparrow hawks live? Well, bird watchers, lovers, and nature enthusiasts, this article will answer that question for you.
Sparrow hawks are scientifically known as Accipiter Nisus, they form part of the Accipitridae family, these are predatory birds. Some may confuse this bird with a falcon, they are similar in size and features.
This bird of prey is known to live less than 12 years in the wild and 20 years or more when in captivity. Their diet consists of moles, crickets, other birds, and occasional roadkill. The female hawks are larger than the males and because of this they need more food and less agile than males.
Table of Contents
Where do sparrow hawks live?
Where they live accommodates their lifestyle. These birds do not fly around a lot, in addition have high metabolism rates and because of this they need to eat continuously, you will usually find their nests in trees, trees accommodate their lifestyle. Sparrow hawks nests can be found along tree-lines opening to wide spaces, these open wide spaces are where most of their prey forages. They also nest in the lower parts of tree canopy’s near woodland areas.
The wooded areas along the borders of grassy openings are beneficial to Sparrow hawks. This is because the hawks have access to a number of steady trees and foliage, this is a great place to perch and pounce. In addition, these areas are filled with fruits and insects that rodents, small mammals, and other birds feed, as they feed they become open to a sparrow hawks attack. Also, tall structures with crevices and openings are also great for nest making.
That being said, these types of locations are disappearing as a result or urbanization and are also being turned into hunting grounds for game hunters as well as home for net poaches and other predators. As urbanization takes more open land, forest areas and shrubbery are becoming more scarce and this results in many wildlife losing homes. as if that isn’t enough, as more places become unavailable, other creatures move into hawk territory, this increases the vulnerability hawk nests and hawks themselves.
How far apart are sparrow hawk nests?
Hawks’ mate for life, but they generally don’t share the same nest or even the same tree. Each bird is quite territorial. This predatory bird isn’t very accommodating to other predatory birds either, this includes other hawks, falcons and owls invading their space. Each nesting territory has some sort of division that both birds respect as they coexist. A hawks territorial range may vary but the ranges are generally between 0.5 km to 2.1km.
Keeping nests this distance apart is not only good to minimize conflicts and possible trespassing on other bird territory but it also allows birds to have multiple nests. This allows them to better control their food supply. When there is a better food supply there is a smaller the range of territory.
Where can sparrow hawks be seen?
if you want to see a sparrow hawk you need to know where they like to live and hunt and when they hunt. Hawks are diurnal creatures, thus they are most active in the daytime. There are some areas in South Texas where you can see migrating hawks as they leave the colder winter months. You can alsofind sparrow hawks perched in orchards, bad yards and kitchen gardens looking for food. If you want to see them in combat look for them during their mating season. Sparrow hawks breed between May and July during this time the male participates in hunting flights while out. Now you have the months, the locations and their types of habits, happy viewing.
How to attract sparrow hawks
If you want to attract these feathery fiendish friends to you back garden, then you need to offer up some alluring bates and the right circumstances. We know that they eat on insects, rodents, mammals, and other birds. They will just as easily eat roadkill and meats out in the open. So, have this out in the open in your garden. If your garden is in relative proximity to their nesting grounds the chances of attracting them are high and they will stop by for some food
How to tell the difference between Sparrow hawks and Kestrels?
Its easy to confuse Sparrow hawks and Kestrels. The baring on their feather and wingspans are similar. You can tell them apart by the layout of their feathers, the shade of their feathers as well as the baring of their tail feathers. Also, kestrels have eyes that are black, while sparrow hawk eyes are yellow. Sparrow hawks have fewer, more parallel barring on their tail feathers while kestrels have more baring that isn’t parallel.
Do sparrow hawks kill other birds?
Yes, sparrow hawks kill birds. It’s in their nature and preying on other birds is how they get their food. As birds of prey they hunt and kill other birds for food. Other birds, that aren’t birds of prey, will kill insects or forage for nuts. Sparrow hawks just have a natural need for meat.
Conclusion
Sparrow hawks have lined the tales of history and are iconic birds. They live and look for prey in woodland areas close to open fields. They nest in tall trees and structures. As birds of prey they kill other birds, insects and mammals for food. These birds are often confused with kestrels and sparrow hawks are mostly visible in spring and summer month.
If you’re reading this article you may also enjoy these other articles on hawks. Click the link to read the article. What are hawks afraid of, when do hawks lay eggs, where do sparrow hawks nest, what do baby hawks eat and where do hawks nest.