Collared Sparrowhawk

1. Square or slightly notched tail tip (not rounded)

2. Very fine yellow legs and long middle toe

3. Chestnut “collar” at the nape and finely barred rufous underparts

Collared Sparrowhawks are specialist hunters of small birds, but will also take insects, lizards, and occasionally small mammals. They use stealth and surprise, hunting from concealed perches and making sudden, agile flights to catch prey. The breeding season runs from July to December, with females typically laying three to four eggs in a stick nest lined with green leaves, high in the fork of a living tree. Incubation lasts about 35 days, mainly by the female, with some help from the male. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after around 28–33 days and remain dependent for up to six weeks as they learn to hunt.

Collared Sparrowhawks inhabit woodlands, forests, and well-vegetated urban areas across Australia and Tasmania, as well as New Guinea. They are most often seen perched quietly within dense foliage or making rapid, low flights between trees. The species is generally uncommon and solitary, but can adapt to a range of habitats as long as there is suitable tree cover and prey.