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Little Sparrowhawk
Afrikaans name: Kleinsperwer
Little Sparrowhawk
Photo © Steven Herbert
Accipiter minullus
This is a really small bird of prey. It has a total length of no more than 25 cm. It weighs around 85 grams which is about the weight of a slab of chocolate (remember when chocolates were 100 grams?)
The Little Sparrowhawk is found in southern through to central and east Africa.
As its name implies this raptor mainly feeds on small birds. It also catches insects. Most of the time it catches its prey in mid-air. It may also catch small mammals (although not in mid-air).
Their favourite habitats are woodland and forest.
References and further reading
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 134Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 164
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 13
Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 488
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 64
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 141
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 137
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 120
The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 73