What protection level does the Eurasian Sparrowhawk hold as a national protected animal? Learn more in this article

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is one of the three common hawks (the Northern Goshawk, the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, and the Besra), with a body length of 30-41 cm, and it likes to fly in the air, or perch on trees and utility poles. So, what protection level does the Eurasian Sparrowhawk hold as a protected animal?

1. What protection level does the Eurasian Sparrowhawk hold as a protected animal?

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is a national second-class protected animal. The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is a bird of prey in the order Falconiformes, family Accipitridae. According to China's Wildlife Protection Law: all birds of prey are national second-class or higher protected animals, and it is strictly forbidden to capture, sell, buy, keep, or harm them.

2. What does the Eurasian Sparrowhawk look like?

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk has a body length of 30-41 cm, and the female is slightly larger than the male. The male has mouse-gray or dark gray upperparts, white underparts, grayish-brown tail feathers, and dark gray upperwing coverts, with fine reddish-brown or dark brown horizontal bars on the chest, belly and flanks. The female has grayish-brown upperparts, milky white underparts, dark brown tail and flight feathers, and dark brown horizontal bars on the chest, belly, flanks and undertail coverts.

3. What does the Eurasian Sparrowhawk eat?

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is a carnivorous animal, mainly feeding on birds, insects and rodents, and it also preys on slightly larger birds such as doves and pigeons and quails and partridges, as well as hares and snakes. In the Eurasian Sparrowhawk's diet, 5% is insects, 15% is birds, and 80% is rodents, so it can be called an expert mouse-catcher among hawks.

Summary: The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is one of the three common hawks (the Northern Goshawk, the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, and the Besra), and is a national second-class protected animal; it is strictly forbidden to capture, sell, buy, keep, or harm it. The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is a carnivorous animal, mainly feeding on birds, insects and rodents, and because it is good at catching mice, it is called an expert mouse-catcher among hawks.