- Accipiter nisus
Description
Location: Watford
This is a male.
Identification
The most numerous and widespread Accipiter found almost throughout the region except for Iceland and the far north of Scandinavia and Russia. In the south breeds on the western Canary Islands, across North-West Africa and on Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. Also breeds throughout Greece and Turkey (except much of the central plateau) and east to the Caspian. In the Middle East may breed regularly in Israel but rare.
Northern birds are migratory but over most of Europe this is a rather sedentary species. Winter visitor or passage migrant to much of Turkey; the Middle East and North Africa. Small numbers occur on passage at Gibraltar and the Bosphorus but much larger movements can be seen at Falsterbo. Peak periods here are mid August-mid November and April-early May.
Subspecies In mainland Europe the nominate race is present but in Madeira and on Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma and Tenerife in the Canary Islands there is the smaller and darker race granti, on Corsica and Sardinia there is another small and very dark race wolterstorffi, and the large, pale race punicus occurs in North-West Africa from central Morocco to north Tunisia. The large Siberian race nisosimilis may occur in the south-east of the region in winter or as a vagrant to Europe but identification is difficult.
Habitat Deciduous, mixed or coniferous woodland with adjacent open country. In recent years with decreased persecution has become commoner close to human habitation and is now moving into towns. In winter often found far from woodland, hunting along hedgerows in open farmland or in coastal areas.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Accipiter nisus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
