Levant Sparrowhawk

The Levant sparrowhawk is a small raptor with short broad wings and a longish tail, both adaptations to maneuvering through trees. It is similar to the Eurasian sparrowhawk, but its shorter tail and more pointed wings give it a more falcon-like appearance. It is much smaller than most raptors, measuring 32–38 cm (13–15 in) in length with a wingspan of 65–75 cm (26–30 in). As with all birds of prey, the female is larger than the male. The male is blue-grey above and pale below, with underparts and leg feathers finely barred in rufous and white. His head is blue-grey as well, with a white throat bisected by a dark central stripe (sometimes quite faint). The female is slate-grey above with darkish wingtips and is barred reddish brown below and may show a dark throat line. Both sexes have orangish-yellow legs and a yellow cere. The juvenile is dark grey-brown above, has dark-streaked underparts and it shows a dark throat line.