Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk

The rufous-breasted sparrowhawk, a small raptor of about 30 cm in height with a wingspan reaching 72 cm, is a sight to behold with its distinctive rufous-coloured underparts. Above, it sports a dark grey slate-brown plumage, including the head, complemented by a black bill and consistently yellow eyes throughout its life stages.

Identification Tips

In flight, this bird reveals bold bars on its wings and tail, which are particularly conspicuous. Juveniles may vary from the rufous hue of adults to a paler white, yet all exhibit dark shaft streaks on their underside feathers. Unlike the Ovambo sparrowhawk, the rufous-breasted sparrowhawk lacks a dark patch behind the eyes and a white eyebrow, aiding in its identification.

Habitat

The rufous-breasted sparrowhawk frequents montane forest habitats, ranging from the Cape of Good Hope to the Ethiopian highlands. Its range is somewhat localized and fragmented across forest patches.

Distribution

This species is endemic to parts of Africa, including Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Behaviour

Sharing many behavioral traits with its African and European relatives, the rufous-breasted sparrowhawk's diet and nestling development remain largely enigmatic.

Song & Calls

The male's call is a rapid succession of high-pitched "kew" notes, while the female's is slightly lower. When soliciting food from the male, the female emits a more prolonged "kieee-u," a call that is also adopted by the young as a begging signal in the presence of adults.

Diet and Feeding

This bird of prey typically hunts on the wing, targeting doves and other small birds. Occasionally, it may strike from a perch to capture insects, small mammals, including bats, and reptiles.

Breeding

Courtship involves soaring high above the nesting area with vocal displays. Mating often follows the male's food offering to the female. Nests are constructed from small sticks at heights of 6-18m, with the birds snapping off sticks mid-flight or breaking them with their beaks. A new nest is typically built each year, close to the previous site. The female lays two to four white eggs with red-brown blotches, primarily incubated by her while the male procures food.

Conservation status

The rufous-breasted sparrowhawk is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.