Chinese Sparrowhawk

Scientific Name: Accipiter soloensis

Malay Name: Helang-Sewah Cina

Chinese Name: 赤腹鹰

Alternative Name(s): Chinese Goshawk

Range: Found from Siberia, China to Korea and wintering to Southeast Asia

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 29-35 cm

Identification: Adult Chinese Sparrowhawk can be easily separated from other accipiter species by its dark greyish upperparts, prominent orange-yellow cere, virtually unmarked underwing-coverts and black-tipped primaries. Male has dark red eyes and pink-washed breast while female has yellowish eyes and more rufous-washed breast. Juvenile resembles juvenile Japanese Sparrowhawk but has very little to moderate markings on underwing-coverts and no yellowish eyering. Both adult and juvenile shows four prominent fingers in flight.

Similar looking species: Crested Goshawk, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Besra, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Shikra

Habitat: Forest, forest edge, secondary growth, wooded areas, open country, parks and gardens.

Behaviour/Ecology:

Local Status: Common migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2021)

Location: Central Catchment Forest, Tuas South, Changi, Lorong Halus, Punggol Barat, Bidadari, Kent Ridge Park, Mount Faber, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Chinese/Japanese Gardens, Sungei Buloh, Kranji Marsh and Pulau Ubin.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2013 to Jun 2023
Peak week Oct 29-Nov 04
Early date 18 Sep 2020
Late date 26 Jun 2021
Less numerous than the Japanese Sparrowhawk, but still one of the most common raptors during the early part of the peak raptor migration period.
Adult male Chinese Sparrowhawk at Changi Cove. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Adult male Chinese Sparrowhawk at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Alan Ng
Juvenile Chinese Sparrowhawk at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Alan Ng
Adult female Chinese Sparrowhawk at Changi Cove. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Chinese Sparrowhawk at Henderson Waves. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Juvenile Chinese Sparrowhawk at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Chinese Sparrowhawk at Henderson Waves. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Juvenile female Chinese Sparrowhawk at Jelutong Tower. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Juvenile Chinese Sparrowhawk at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Adult female Chinese Sparrowhawk at Rifle Range Link. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Chinese Sparrowhawk)

References:

BirdLife International. (2021). Accipiter soloensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22695503A154677417.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

DeCandido, R., Nualsri, C., Siponen, M., Sutasha, K., Pierce, A., Murray. J. & Round, P. D. (2014) Flight identification and plumage descriptions of six Accipiter species on southbound migration at Khao Dinsor, Chumphon province, Thailand. BirdingASIA, 21, 52-62.

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Chinese Sparrowhawk. Retrieved on December 10, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/chinese-sparrowhawk.

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