The 'Japanese Sparrowhawk ' (''Accipiter gularis'') is a
bird of prey in the family
Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal
raptors such as
eagles,
buzzards and
harriers.
It breeds in
China,
Japan,
Korea and
Siberia; winters in
Indonesia and
Philippines, passing through the rest of
South-east Asia. It is a bird of open and wooded areas.
It is 23-30cm in length, with the female larger than the male. The male has dark barred underwings, lightly barred underparts, dark grey upperparts and red eyes. Female has yellow eyes and dark barred underparts. Juvenile has brown upperparts and streaks on breast.
It feeds on birds taken on flight.