Chinese sparrowhawk

The Chinese Sparrowhawk, also known as the Chinese Goshawk or Grey Frog Hawk, is an intriguing bird of prey from the Accipitridae family, which includes renowned raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers. This bird breeds in Southeast China, Taiwan, Korea, and Siberia. When winter arrives, it migrates to warmer regions like Indonesia and the Philippines, often transiting through other parts of Southeast Asia. The Chinese Sparrowhawk typically inhabits forested areas.

In terms of size, these birds range from 30 to 36 cm in length, with females being slightly larger than males. Adults are easily identifiable by their distinctive black wing tips. Male Chinese Sparrowhawks boast a grey upper body, a white underbody, and striking red eyes. Females, on the other hand, have rufous coloring on their breast and underwing coverts and exhibit yellow eyes. Juveniles differ in appearance; they have a grey face, brown upper parts, and yellow eyes. Their underparts are streaked, and their thighs are barred. Unlike adults, juveniles' black wing tips are less pronounced, and their underwings are streaked, except for the coverts.

Regarding their diet, Chinese Sparrowhawks primarily feast on frogs but also prey on lizards. While they predominantly reside in forests, they can sometimes be spotted on the periphery of these wooded areas. The population of these birds is estimated to be between 10,000 and 100,000.