Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Watch woodland edges, hedgerows and gardens across Europe and parts of Asia, where this small hawk hunts small birds with fast, low, surprise attacks through cover rather than open soaring. A sudden scatter of songbirds from a hedge or feeder is often the first sign one has passed through, followed by a brief glimpse of its rounded wings and long tail. Breeding season in spring and early summer is a good time to watch a female incubating in dense woodland, while winter brings birds more often into garden settings near feeding stations.