Little Sparrowhawk

Fairly common resident, very small sized Accipiter. Adult identified by very small size, yellow eyes (eye can be more red in Br. season) and eye ring, slender yellow legs and yellow cere. In flight, from above, two conspicuous white spots on upper tail close to white tail covert. Flight from below, finely barred body and pale rufous flanks and distinctive barred undertail. Similar to [Shikra] and larger [African Goshawk]. Immature recognised by heavy spotting on the underparts and brown upper parts. Call is a single-syllabled ‘ki’ rapidly repeated to sound like a small car’s engine which is having trouble starting. Occurs singly in densely wooded situations, forest fringes, riverine forest, woodland, wooded valleys and stands of exotic trees. Secretive but bold, hunting on the wing. Feeds on birds and small lizards. 70-90 g.