Eurasian Sparrowhawk vs Red-tailed Hawk
Accipiter nisus compared with Buteo jamaicensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eurasian Sparrowhawk | Red-tailed Hawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Accipiter nisus | Buteo jamaicensis |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 53.0 cm (20.9 in) |
| Wingspan | 41.5 cm (16.3 in) | 124.0 cm (48.8 in) |
| Weight | 209.0 g (7.37 oz) | 1080.0 g (38.10 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Small to medium mammals, especially voles, mice, and rabbits. Also takes birds, reptiles, and large … |
| Clutch Size | 1-7 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Eurasian Sparrowhawk only
None
Red-tailed Hawk only
Red-tailed Hawk
Open country with scattered elevated perches such as trees, poles, and cliffs. Adaptable to farmland, grasslands, roadsides, and suburban areas.
Song & Call Comparison
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Iconic, raspy descending scream: 'kreeeeee-ar', often used in films for all raptors. Gives short barking 'kak' notes near nest. Juveniles beg with persistent squealing whistles.
Geographic Range & Migration
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Red-tailed Hawk
North America from Alaska to Panama, including the Caribbean. One of the most common raptors in North America.
Conservation Status
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Red-tailed Hawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Variable plumage from pale to dark morphs. Most adults have rich brown upperparts, a pale breast with a dark belly band, and the characteristic rufous-red tail.
Dark hooked bill with a yellow cere
About These Birds
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
The Eurasian Sparrowhawk (<em>Accipiter nisus</em>) is a widespread and well-known raptor of the family Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles & Kites), occurring across much of Europe and Asia. It is closely associated with forest habitats, including mixed woodland, conifer plantations, and wooded farmland where it hunts small birds with remarkable speed and agility. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature for this record, though the species is known to display strong sexual dimorphism in size. …
Red-tailed Hawk
The red-tailed hawk is the most widespread and common hawk in North America. Its screaming cry is so iconic that it is often dubbed over bald eagle footage in films and television. These adaptable raptors thrive in human-altered landscapes and are a familiar sight perched along highways.