Yes. Despite its name, the Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis) is indeed a hawk, belonging to the genus Accipiter, the same group as goshawks and sparrowhawks. It is a true raptor, with the sharp talons, hooked bill, and hunting behavior typical of hawks.
10 to 13 in (26 to 34 cm)
Length
23 to 27 in (58 to 68 cm)
Wingspan
3.5 to 6 oz (100 to 180 g)
Weight
About
The Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis) is a small migratory raptor of the Accipitridae family, breeding in East Asia and wintering in Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia. Also known as the Chinese Goshawk, it is admired for its elegant flight and impressive long-distance migrations, often forming large flocks during seasonal movements.
This hawk measures 30 to 36 centimeters (12 to 14 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 65 to 80 centimeters (26 to 31 inches). Males have a distinctive appearance with bluish-gray upperparts, pale underparts, and a striking reddish wash across the chest and thighs, along with red eyes. Females are larger, with browner plumage and less vivid coloration, while juveniles show streaked underparts. Their long tails with narrow dark bands and short, rounded wings are well suited for maneuvering in forested habitats.
The Chinese Sparrowhawk feeds mainly on small birds, frogs, lizards, and large insects. Its hunting style is typical of Accipiter hawks—using stealth, speed, and ambush attacks from concealed perches. During the breeding season, amphibians become a particularly important food source.
Breeding occurs in China, Korea, Taiwan, and parts of Russia, where pairs build stick nests high in trees within forested areas. Females typically lay three to five eggs, with incubation carried out mostly by the female while the male provides food. Both parents participate in chick-rearing once the young hatch.
Migration is one of the most remarkable aspects of this species. Each autumn, vast flocks numbering in the thousands pass through Southeast Asia, especially over migration hotspots in the Philippines and Thailand, creating spectacular birdwatching events.
Currently listed as Least Concern, the Chinese Sparrowhawk maintains stable populations, though it faces threats from deforestation and hunting in parts of its range.
Graceful, migratory, and social, the Chinese Sparrowhawk is a symbol of the seasonal rhythms that connect Asia’s forests and tropical wintering grounds.
Threatened:
Extinct
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Physical Characteristics
The Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis) is a small migratory hawk of East Asia, noted for its slender build and seasonal shifts in plumage.
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Plumage:
Adults display bluish-gray upperparts and pale underparts. Males have a striking rufous wash across the chest and underwings, while females are slightly larger with duller tones. Juveniles are brown above with streaked underparts. -
Face: Yellow eyes in adults, paler in juveniles. Small, rounded head with a hooked black bill and yellow cere.
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Body: Slender and streamlined, designed for quick flight and maneuverability in forests.
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Wings: Short and broad at the base, rounded for agility but capable of sustained gliding during migration. Underwings show a contrast of pale coverts with darker flight feathers.
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Tail: Long and slightly rounded with four to five dark bands, a key field mark.
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Feet: Yellow legs with sharp black talons, suited for seizing small birds and insects.
Size:
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Length: About 10 to 13 in (26 to 34 cm).
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Wingspan: Between 23 to 27 in (58 to 68 cm).
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Weight: Ranges from 3.5 to 6 oz (100 to 180 g), with females larger than males.
The Chinese Sparrowhawk’s rufous underparts in males, banded tail, and graceful flight distinguish it from similar small Accipiter species.
Reproduction
The Chinese Sparrowhawk breeds in East Asia, favoring mixed and broadleaf forests near water, and undertakes long migrations to Southeast Asia for the non-breeding season.
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Mating and Courtship:
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Pairs are generally monogamous, returning to the same breeding territories annually.
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Courtship includes aerial displays, mutual circling, and vocal calls exchanged between mates.
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Nesting:
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Nests are built high in trees, often concealed within dense foliage.
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They are constructed of twigs and lined with leaves, bark, and softer materials.
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Egg Laying and Incubation:
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Females lay 2 to 4 eggs, bluish-white and lightly speckled.
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Incubation lasts about 28 to 30 days, performed primarily by the female while the male supplies food.
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Chick Development:
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Chicks hatch covered in white down and are brooded by the female for the first week.
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The male provides prey, which the female tears into smaller pieces to feed the young.
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Fledging and Independence:
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Young fledge at about 24 to 28 days, though they remain dependent on their parents for food and hunting practice for several additional weeks.
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The Chinese Sparrowhawk’s reproductive cycle is closely tied to the spring and summer breeding season in East Asia, with migration southward beginning once fledglings are independent.
Lifespan
The Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis) is a small migratory raptor with a moderate lifespan, influenced by the hazards of long-distance travel and predation.
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Lifespan in the Wild:
Typically lives 7 to 10 years, with some individuals reaching up to 12 years. Many do not survive their first year due to the challenges of migration, predation, and inexperience in hunting. -
Lifespan in Captivity:
In captivity, with steady care and food, they may live up to 15 years.
Threats to the Chinese Sparrowhawk:
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Migration Risks: Their annual migration between East Asia and Southeast Asia exposes them to storms, exhaustion, and loss of stopover habitats.
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Predation: Eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to crows, snakes, and larger raptors. Adults may fall prey to larger hawks and eagles.
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Human Hazards: Habitat destruction, deforestation, and illegal hunting pose threats along their migratory routes.
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Juvenile Mortality: Like other small hawks, many fledglings die in their first year from starvation or hunting failure.
Despite these challenges, the Chinese Sparrowhawk’s wide range and adaptability help maintain a stable global population, though local declines can occur where forests are heavily cleared.
Eating Habits
The Chinese Sparrowhawk is an agile forest hunter that relies on speed and stealth to capture prey.
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Diet:
Primarily preys on small birds, such as sparrows and warblers. It also eats insects (especially during migration), as well as small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. -
Foraging Strategy:
Hunts from a concealed perch, launching sudden, rapid flights to seize prey in mid-air or on the ground. Its short wings and long tail give it agility in dense forests. -
Hunting Behavior:
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During breeding season, focuses on birds to provide protein-rich meals for chicks.
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On migration, shifts diet to include large numbers of insects, particularly dragonflies and locusts, which are abundant in Southeast Asia.
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Feeding the Young:
The male typically delivers prey to the nest, while the female tears it apart and feeds it to chicks. -
Seasonal Variation:
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Summer (Breeding Grounds): Bird prey dominates.
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Migration/Winter: Insects and small vertebrates supplement the diet, reflecting availability in tropical habitats.
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The Chinese Sparrowhawk’s ability to shift between bird and insect prey ensures its survival across a wide range of environments during its long migratory journey.
Uniqueness
The Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis) is a small but distinctive hawk, set apart from many other raptors by its migration and behavior:
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Mass Migrant: One of the few raptors known for large-scale migrations, with thousands moving together from East Asia to Southeast Asia each autumn.
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Diet Flexibility: Unlike many accipiters that focus mainly on birds, it shifts seasonally to insect-heavy diets, particularly dragonflies, during migration.
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Sexual Dimorphism: Males show a striking rufous wash across the chest and underwings, while females are larger and more subdued in coloration.
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Migration Spectacles: Flocks can number in the tens of thousands, creating breathtaking migration events across East Asia.
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Wide Distribution: Breeds in China, Korea, and Japan, and winters as far south as Indonesia and the Philippines.
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Agile Forest Hunter: Its combination of short wings and long tail allows for swift, darting chases through wooded habitats.
The Chinese Sparrowhawk’s mass migratory flights, insect-based diet shifts, and striking male plumage make it one of the most unique and recognizable small hawks of Asia.
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FAQ’s
1. Is the Chinese Sparrowhawk a hawk?
2. What is the species closest to the Chinese Sparrowhawk?
Its closest relatives are other small Accipiter hawks, especially the Japanese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis) and the Shikra (Accipiter badius). All share similar size, body structure, and agile hunting style, though their ranges differ.
3. How does the Chinese Sparrowhawk compare to other hawks?
The Chinese Sparrowhawk is smaller and lighter than most hawks, weighing under 200 g. Unlike soaring buteos such as the Red-tailed Hawk, it is a forest ambush hunter, darting after small birds and insects. Its mass migratory flocks also set it apart, as most hawks migrate individually.
4. What national parks provide an opportunity to see the Chinese Sparrowhawk?
This hawk is best observed along its migration routes in East Asia. Notable parks include:
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Kenting National Park (Taiwan) – a major migration bottleneck in autumn.
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Kinmen National Park (Taiwan) – famous for large raptor counts during migration.
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Seoraksan National Park (South Korea) – breeding and migration sightings.
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Gunung Leuser National Park (Indonesia) – part of its tropical wintering grounds.
These locations highlight the species’ extraordinary migration and its presence across Asia’s forests and flyways.
