The Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus: A Review and Comparison with the Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus

Abstract

The literature concerning field identification, physical characters (size, weight), diet, hunting/feeding behaviour, displays and breeding biology of the Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus is reviewed and supplemented with field observations and other data. Quantitative data on the diet of the Collared Sparrowhawk show that it preys predominantly on birds less than 50 g (c. 3-40% of Sparrowhawk body weight). Quantitative data on the diet of the Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus demonstrate partitioning between the two species in terms of prey size, taxonomic group and foraging zone: the Brown Goshawk's more diverse diet includes relatively larger prey, more mammals and more ground/understorey birds than that of the Collared Sparrowhawk, which takes relatively more canopy/aerial birds. The Sparrowhawk also appears to use more aerial hunting methods than the Brown Goshawk, in accordance with data on their aerodynamic properties. In diet, hunting behaviour and breeding biology the Collared Sparrowhawk closely resembles the other small sparrowhawks. Data on its biology are limited, and further investigation is required.