Raptor Accipiter / Sparrowhawk - Japanese Sparrowhawk (Lifer 584/688)

Photo courtesy of AT

While shooting Cinnamon Green Pigeon we chance we chance upon a flying raptor crossing our path. It white bottom body with gray brown dense barring is its id features. They have a small, curved bill, long pointed wingtips, a relatively short-tail and long, slim legs and toes. Adult males have black-slate upperparts with white on the nape of the neck. They have whitish underparts with grey-brown and washed red-brown barring. Adult males have yellow legs and their tail feathers are grey with four dark bands. They have red-orange eyes with brown-grey patches on the cheeks, and a subtle line on their white throats.  

The Japanese Sparrowhawk primarily preys on small songbirds, making up about 90% of its diet. During the breeding season, it may hunt larger birds like pigeons and partridges. They often hunt from a perch, waiting for prey to pass by before launching a surprise attack. 

During winter, Japanese Sparrowhawks migrate to Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia from .

They have a variety of calls, including a sharp "kit" sound and a descending "pyoh-pyo" call used for communication between mates and territorial declarations.