Black Sparrowhawk

Afrikaans name: Swartsperwer

Photo © Steven Herbert

Accipiter melanoleucus

The Black Sparrowhawk is quite a large raptor that prefers forested and well-vegetated areas. in South Africa it is found all the way from Cape Town, up the east coast to the northern regions of the country.

Black Sparrowhawks feed mainly off birds, as their name implies. These vary in size from weavers through to hornbills. They also take mammals such as mongooses and hares.

Most of their hunting is done from a perch in a high tree.

The pair build their nest in a fork in a high tree. Occasionally they re-use the nest of other species. Up to four eggs are laid and they are incubated by the female. The male brings food to the nest for her. The female continues to tend to the chicks for about 3 weeks and then she starts helping the male hunt for food.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	159	Neonisus melanoleucus melanoleucus
2nd	159	Accipiter melanoleucus
3rd	159	Accipiter melanoleucus
4th	159	Accipiter melanoleucus
5th	158	Accipiter melanoleucus
6th	158	Accipiter melanoleucus
7th	380	Accipiter melanoleucus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	159	Black Goshawk
2nd	159	Black Goshawk
3rd	159	Black Sparrowhawk
4th	159	Black Sparrowhawk
5th	158	Black Sparrowhawk
6th	158	Black Sparrowhawk
7th	380	Black Sparrowhawk

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	159	Swart-sperwer
2nd	159	Swart Sperwer
3rd	159	Swart Sperwer
4th	159	Swart Sperwer
5th	158	Swartsperwer
6th	158	Swartsperwer
7th	380	Swartsperwer

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 49

The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 77

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

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

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 118

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 114

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 138

Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 180

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 106

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

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 142

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

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 152

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 180

Know your Birds of Prey - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 27

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 180

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

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 78

Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 460

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 18

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 44

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

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

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 20

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 82

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 168

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 112

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

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 85

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 50

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

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

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

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