| Japanese sparrowhawk | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Tachyspiza |
| Species: | T. gularis |
| Binomial name | |
| Tachyspiza gularis | |
| Subspecies | |
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TheJapanese sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza gularis) is abird of prey in the familyAccipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such aseagles,buzzards andharriers. It was formerly placed in thegenusAccipiter. The bird is known by many alternative names such as the Japanese lesser, Asiatic, or Eastern sparrowhawk.[2] This species is a smallraptor with broader and rounder wings and a shorter tail.[3] Its total length measures 23–30 centimetres (9.1–11.8 in). It has a dark back and whitish underside with brown-grey barring and red-brown colouring on the sides in males, and with heavier brown barring on theabdomen in females. Both sexes have a stripe across the throat, but its more obvious in the female. Is it typically identified by its appearance, but occasionally produces a chatteringkiki-kik-kik... sound. This species generally breeds in parts ofRussia,Korea,Japan, andChina. There are threesubspecies of Japanese sparrowhawk that differ by distribution and appearance. The species is globally listed asleast concern, although it is listed asendangered in Japan andprotected in China.
The Japanese sparrowhawk wasformally described in 1845 by the zoologistsCoenraad Jacob Temminck andHermann Schlegel inPhilipp Franz von Siebold'sFauna Japonica. They specified the scientific nameAstur (Nisus) gularis,[4][5] whereNisus was an alternative possiblegenus: it had been introduced byGeorges Cuvier in 1800.[6][7] The specific epithetgularis isModern Latin meaning "of the throat" or "throated".[8]
The Japanese sparrowhawk was formerly placed in the genusAccipiter. In 2024 a comprehensivemolecular phylogenetic study of the Accipitridae confirmed earlier work that had shown that the genus waspolyphyletic.[9][10] To resolve the non-monophyly,Accipiter was divided into six genera. The genusTachyspiza was resurrected to accommodate the Japanese sparrowhawk together with 26 other species that had previously been placed inAccipiter. The resurrected genus had been introduced in 1844 by the German naturalistJohann Jakob Kaup.[11] The genus name combines theAncient Greek ταχυς (takhus) meaning "fast" with σπιζιας (spizias) meaning "hawk".[12]
Thespecies is closely related to theBesra (Tachyspiza virgata).[3][2] For a time, it was thought the Japanese sparrowhawk was amigratory subspecies of the Besra, but that was disproved.[2] It was then thought that the Besra and Japanese sparrowhawk were two very closely related species.[13] However, it was recently discovered that they are not as closely related[14] despite their similar appearances and might be more closely related to thecollared sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza cirrocephala) ofAustralasia.[15]
Threesubspecies are recognised:[11]
Adult male Japanese sparrowhawks measure between 23–30 centimetres (9.1–11.8 in) in length with awingspan measuring 46–58 centimetres (18–23 in), and weigh 92–142 grams (3.2–5.0 oz).[2] They have a small, curved bill, long pointed wingtips, a relatively short-tail and long, slim legs and toes.[2] Adult males have black-slate upperparts with white on the nape of the neck. They have whitish underparts with grey-brown and washed red-brown barring. Adult males have yellow legs and theirtail feathers are grey with four dark bands. They have red-orange eyes with brown-grey patches on the cheeks, and a subtle line on their white throats.
Inflight, adult males appear to have a faint red-brown wash on either side of the chest, distinct brown-grey bars onwing-linings and flanks, and their flight feathers have thin bands.[2]
Adult females are larger than their male counterparts, weighing around 111–193 centimetres (44–76 in).[2][17] They have brown upperparts, but they do not have any red-brown barring on their underparts or sides.[2] Adult females have a white body and wing-linings with brown-grey barring. They have yellow eyes, and like the adult males, have yellow legs and a stripe over the throat, but it is more obvious on adult females.[2]
Juveniles are dark brown on the upperparts with buff or red-brown sides.[2] They have cream-coloured underparts with red-brown streaking on the breast, spots on the abdomen and barring on their sides. They also have whiteabove the eye and the nape of the neck with thin bars on the tail feathers.[2] Juveniles also have a throat stripe, but their eyes are brown, and their feet are yellow-green.[2]
Overall, these descriptions remain the same among theTachyspiza gularis gularis andT. g. sibiricus subspecies.[3] However, the adultiwasakii subspecies is smaller with a darker back, broader spots on the abdomen, lighter-coloured eyes and more rounded wingtips than the other two subspecies.[18][2]
The Japanese sparrowhawk typically inhabits many forest types such asdeciduous,coniferous andmixed, at elevations up to 1800 meters but usually below 1000 meters.[2][3] It prefers southerntaiga andsubalpine zones near rivers.[2] Duringmigration andwintering, they can be seen in villages, and open areas where woodlands and shrubs mix with marshes and fields.[2]
Thespecies can generally be found at its breeding grounds in eastern Russia, eastwards toSakhalin, theKorean peninsula, Japan, and Northeastern China.[2][18] Although, the distribution of the Japanese sparrowhawk varies by and within subspecies.Tachyspiza gularis sibiricus is migratory and breeds fromMongolia to eastern China and is thought to winter insoutheast Asia andIndonesia.[11] Alternatively,Tachyspiza g. iwasakii issedentary and lives solely inevergreensubtropical forests[3] on the SouthRyukyu Islands of Japan.[11] Whereas,Tachyspiza g. gularis is the most widespread subspecies and is made up of two major populations.[18] The first is migratory and breeds in northeast China, in the most eastern parts of Russia, as well as Japan.[11] It winters in thePhilippines andIndonesia. The second major population ofT. g. gularis areresident breeders inurban andsuburban Japan.[3][18]
The Japanese sparrowhawk is secretive and not often seen outside forested areas during thebreeding season.[2] At this time, it is either alone or coupled. During migration, it can be seen in dashingflight andsoaring.[2] They migrate from mid-September until November and from mid-April until June.[2] While migrating, they are typicallyflying alone or in smallflocks.[3] In winter, they are seen perched in more open areas.[2]
The Japanese sparrowhawkvocalizes solely while breeding.[2] The maincall consists of a chatteringkiki-kik-kik... sound. The speed and volume of thecall can change according to the circumstances.[2] For example, it is slower during advertisement and contact between a couple, and softer while bringing prey and soliciting. Whereas, duringterritorial or defensive displays against intruders, humans orpredators, thecall is much faster. Other reportedsounds are a mewingkey-key and a shrillkee-bick,[19] as well as akwu between mates prior tonesting.[20]
The Japanese sparrowhawk hunts in clearings by surprising prey from perches and by chasing inflight.[2][3] It often hunts small forestpasserines likesparrows,buntings,warblers,tits,nuthatches, and sometimes larger birds likemagpies andpigeons.[2][3] But, it also opportunistically preys on small mammals likevoles,[3] andbats,[17] as well as insects and occasionally reptiles.
The Japanese sparrowhawk breeds from June to August.[2] Individuals find a partners and begin with a pre-nestingdisplay whereby both members makekwusounds while bowing their heads and lifting their tails on a perch.[20] They also perform aerial displays that include undulatingsky dances,high-circling and slow flapping.[2] The couple will build their nest in a tree, typically near the tree trunk and around 10 meters off the ground.[2] The nest is composed of twigs and lined with leaves and pieces of bark. They layclutches of 4 to 5eggs in June inSiberia and 2 to 3 eggs a bit earlier in China and Japan.[2][3] The incubation period lasts between 25 and 28 days, andchicksfledge in June in Japan and August in Siberia.[3]
The Japanese sparrowhawk is globally listed asleast concern by theIUCN Red List and the population is considered stable with an estimated 13,400 to 67,000 mature adults.[21] However, it is a class IIprotected species in China[14] Moreover, theA. g. iwasakii subspecies is classified asendangered in theRed Data Book of theJapan Ministry of the Environment due to declines innesting spots and breeding success, but its estimated population size andlife history parameters remain poorly understood.[2][18]
