Yastrebs

Yastrebs are a group of falcons belonging to the genus Astur in the family Falconidae. This genus is characterized by medium-sized, powerfully built birds of prey with broad wings and long tails, adapted for swift, agile flight. They are often found in open woodlands, forests, and savannas across Eurasia and Africa.

The diet of yastrebs typically consists of small mammals, birds, and reptiles, which they hunt by soaring and stooping from considerable heights or by ambushing prey from a perch. Their keen eyesight and exceptional speed are crucial for their predatory success. Yastrebs are generally solitary birds, coming together only during the breeding season.

Nesting usually occurs in trees, where they construct bulky nests from twigs and other vegetation, or they may take over abandoned nests of other birds. The clutch size is typically between two and five eggs, which are incubated by both parents. Both parents also participate in feeding the young after hatching.

Several species are classified within the yastreb group, including the goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) in Europe and Asia, and various related species in Africa. These birds play an important role in their ecosystems by controlling populations of their prey. Their conservation status varies by species and region, with some facing threats from habitat loss and human persecution.