What does sparrowhawk mean?
A sparrowhawk is a small, compact hawk with short, rounded wings, a long tail, and a keen ability to hunt other birds. In Britain, the word usually denotes the Eurasian sparrowhawk, a common bird of woodland edges, gardens, and farmland. It often hunts from a perch, making brief flights to seize small birds, and it may also take rodents and other small animals. The name refers to this association with sparrows, although sparrows are not its only prey. Outside Europe, several closely related small hawks also carry the name, including the shikra and various island species. In general use, sparrowhawk can therefore refer either to the familiar Eurasian bird or to the wider group of small accipiters. The word is also useful when discussing birds of prey, migration, nesting, and conservation, as these agile hunters are familiar inhabitants of many rural and suburban landscapes.
nounA small hawk of the genus Accipiter, especially the Eurasian sparrowhawk, which hunts small birds and other small animals. The term is also used for several similar hawks found in other parts of the world.
- A small hawk of the genus Accipiter, especially the Eurasian sparrowhawk, which preys on small birds.
- Any of various similar hawks found in Africa, Asia, and Australasia, including the shikra and several island forms.
"The sparrowhawk circled above the hedgerow before diving toward the field."
"A sparrowhawk perched silently on a branch, watching the ground below."
"The conservation survey recorded fewer sparrowhawks in the woodland than in previous years."
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple birds of the species or to birds generally.
"Several sparrowhawks circled above the trees."
The sparrowhawk is named for its traditional prey, but it is also a formidable hunter of small mammals, reptiles, and birds.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sparrowhawk come from?
The word is a compound formed in English from “sparrow” and “hawk,” with the elements formerly written separately as “spar hawk.” The resulting compound has referred to a small hawk that hunts sparrows for many centuries. The European species was scientifically named Accipiter nisus, placing it in a genus that includes several similarly sized woodland hawks.
Related word forms
How sparrowhawk is actually used
In British English, sparrowhawk most often refers to the Eurasian species Accipiter nisus. The name is also applied broadly to small accipiters in other regions, although precise identification may require more specific names.
Easily confused with sparrowhawk
A sparrowhawk is a relatively small hawk, whereas a goshawk is a much larger, robust hawk of the same general family.
A sparrowhawk belongs to the accipiters, with relatively short, rounded wings and long tails, while a kestrel is a falcon with a more pointed wing shape and distinctive hovering flight.