Accipiters

Accipiters are a genus of birds of prey in the family Accipitridae, comprising species commonly known as goshawks and sparrowhawks. They are relatively small to medium-sized raptors, adapted for agile flight through trees: short, rounded wings and a long, narrow tail. Plumage varies by species, but many have barred underparts and a dark crown; juveniles are often brown with streaking.

They inhabit woodlands and forests across much of the world, from temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America to parts of Africa. They hunt mainly small birds and rodents, using concealment and sudden acceleration to capture prey in dense cover. They are territorial during breeding season.

In terms of behavior, accipiters typically stalk from a perch, then pounce on prey with a swift, short pursuit. They kill with a powerful bite and talons, and may take larger prey occasionally. Sexual dimorphism is common: females are larger than males, which reduces competition for prey within a species.

Reproduction: nests are built in trees, often in a fork or on a branch; clutch sizes range from about two to six eggs. The female does most of the incubation for roughly four weeks; both parents feed the chicks after hatching. Young fledge after several weeks and remain dependent for a period.

Taxonomy and species diversity: Accipiter comprises roughly 25–30 species, including the northern goshawk (A. gentilis), Eurasian sparrowhawk (A. nisus), Cooper's hawk (A. cooperii), and the sharp-shinned hawk (A. striatus). Conservation status varies by species; most are of least concern, though some localized populations have declined due to habitat loss.