Little sparrowhawk

The little sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza minulla) is a fascinating species of Afrotropical bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. It was once classified in the genus Accipiter, but is now recognized as the smallest member of the genus Tachyspiza. This small, agile hunter plays an important role in controlling insect and small animal populations.

The little sparrowhawk forms a superspecies with the red-thighed sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza erythropus), meaning they share many similar traits and likely evolved from a common ancestor. As one of the tiniest birds of prey, it demonstrates the incredible diversity found in nature, even among closely related species. Its presence in the wild helps maintain a healthy balance in ecosystems across its range.

Taxonomy

The little sparrowhawk was first described in 1800 by a French scientist named François Daudin. He called it Falco minullus, meaning "very small" in Modern Latin. Later, it was placed in a different group called Tachyspiza, which means "fast hawk" in Ancient Greek. This bird is the smallest in its group and is closely related to another bird called the red-thighed sparrowhawk.

Two types of little sparrowhawks are recognized: one lives along the coast from south Somalia to east Mozambique, and the other is found from Ethiopia to Angola and South Africa.

Description

The little sparrowhawk is a very small bird of prey with two white spots on the underside of its tail and a narrow white patch on its lower back. Males have dark grey upperparts and white throats, while females are browner with less distinct markings.

Both males and females have yellow legs and eyes, but young birds have different colors and patterns compared to adults. This bird measures between 23 to 27 centimeters in length, with a wingspan of 39 to 50 centimeters.

Distribution and habitat

The little sparrowhawk lives in eastern and southern parts of Africa, from Ethiopia down to the southern Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and as far as the eastern Western Cape in South Africa.

This bird prefers woodland areas, often found in patches of trees and scrubland near rivers. In drier places, it can also live in open spaces like fynbos and grasslands, and even in some suburban gardens.

Behaviour

The little sparrowhawk builds its nest in trees, often using old nests from other birds. Both the male and female take care of the eggs, which hatch after about three weeks. The baby birds, called chicks, can fly on their own in about three weeks and stay near their parents for up to a year.

This bird hunts small animals like birds, bats, frogs, lizards, and rodents. It waits in hiding and then quickly catches its prey in flight. Other birds, like the gabar goshawk, sometimes eat adult little sparrowhawks, and lizard buzzards may eat their chicks.

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