Little Sparrowhawk

Afrikaans name: Kleinsperwer

Little Sparrowhawk

Photo © Steven Herbert

Accipiter minullus

This is a really small bird of prey. It has a total length of no more than 25 cm. It weighs around 85 grams which is about the weight of a slab of chocolate (remember when chocolates were 100 grams?)

The Little Sparrowhawk is found in southern through to central and east Africa.

As its name implies this raptor mainly feeds on small birds. It also catches insects. Most of the time it catches its prey in mid-air. It may also catch small mammals (although not in mid-air).

Their favourite habitats are woodland and forest.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	158	Hieraspiza minullus minullus
2nd	158	Accipiter minullus
3rd	158	Accipiter minullus
4th	158	Accipiter minullus
5th	157	Accipiter minullus
6th	157	Accipiter minullus
7th	377	Accipiter minullus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	158	Cape Little Sparrowhawk
2nd	158	Little Sparrowhawk
3rd	158	Little Sparrowhawk
4th	158	Little Sparrowhawk
5th	157	Little Sparrowhawk
6th	157	Little Sparrowhawk
7th	377	Little Sparrowhawk

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	158	Klein-sperwer
2nd	158	Klein Sperwer
3rd	158	Klein Sperwer
4th	158	Klein Sperwer
5th	157	Kleinsperwer
6th	157	Kleinsperwer
7th	377	Kleinsperwer

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 58

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 1

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 63

The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 73

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 120

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 112

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 137

Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 176

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 141

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 105

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 114

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 154

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 84

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 176

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 176

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 86

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 64

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 13

Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 488

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 43

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 56

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 164

Birds of Prey of the World - Author: Friedhelm Weick - Published: 1980 - Page: 96

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 80

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 83

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 113

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 87

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 58

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 77

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 134

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 134

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds