Levant sparrowhawk  (Accipiter brevipes)

Description

A handsome, small-bodied bird of prey, the Levant sparrowhawk can be distinguished by its barred underparts and striking, dark red eyes. The sexes differ in size and plumage colouration, with the male being significantly smaller than the female and possessing dull blue-grey upperparts, along with a pale breast and belly which are lightly marked with pinkish or reddish bars. In contrast, the female is brown above with heavily barred underparts and a dark streak on the throat. The juvenile resembles the adult female, but has streaked rather than barred underparts and a pale spot on the nape (2). The Levant sparrowhawk produces a shrill “keeveck-veck-veck”, which is uncharacteristic of sparrowhawks and more akin to the call of the tawny owl (4).

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