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 Japanaese 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):

Adult female Chinese Sparrowhawk at Rifle Range Link. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Juvenile female Chinese Sparrowhawk at Jelutong Tower. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Chinese Sparrowhawk at Henderson Waves. Photo credit: Francis Yap
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 Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Juvenile Chinese Sparrowhawk at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Adult female Chinese Sparrowhawk at Changi Cove. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Chinese Sparrowhawk at Henderson Waves. 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

Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Chinese Sparrowhawk. Retrieved on May 28, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/chinese-sparrowhawk.