Behavior Black sparrowhawk

1 behavior

1.1 vocalizations
1.2 diet
1.3 reproduction

behavior
vocalizations

normally silent except during breeding season. males make short, sharp keeyp contact calls when arriving prey, females respond lower pitched kek sounds. before male arrives food, however, female solicit food loud, high pitched drawn out kweeeeee-uw sounds. both genders make alarm calls, , characteristic mating cries. chicks, juveniles, noisy making high pitched weeeeeeeeh sounds, when soliciting food.

diet

black sparrowhawks prey on mid-sized birds. prey spotted foliage-concealed perch , killed in flight while on short flying dash. less often, stoop or chase prey seen during low or high flight on open country or near canopy of trees and, in cases, may pursue prey on foot. although kills made in under minute after initial attack, species may engage in prolonged pursuit on several minutes. have been known scan antswarms can predate birds attracted them. birds preyed on species in size range of 80–300 g (2.8–10.6 oz). however, have taken guineafowl weighing 1.5 kg (3.3 lb). doves primary prey of males, whereas females take greater quantity of larger prey such pigeons , francolins. feed on poultry found in rural villages, have been inadvertently made available them humans. take species such rock pigeons have flourished due urban growth , settlement. is, in fact, 1 of species have been able adapt changing habitat due afforestation , urbanization taking advantage of increase in dove , pigeon populations. regularity, prey on other raptor species, including shikra, ovambo sparrowhawk, african goshawk , wood owl. occasionally, may supplement diet small mammals, such bats, rodents , juvenile mongooses. black sparrowhawks can carry plucked, , decapitated prey 12 km (7.5 mi), above canopy.

reproduction

a. m. temminckii breed between august , november while a. m. melanoleucus breed between may , october. in zambia, breed @ intermediate time, between july , february. black sparrowhawks in eastern africa seemingly breed @ time of year. these birds particular nest sites; prefer sites within tree canopy protect offspring adverse weather conditions , other predators. nests have been found 7 36 m (23 118 ft) high in trees, though (in rare cases) have been found on ground between large tree trunks. however, nests not deep within forest in order stay within close proximity of hunting habitat outside of forest.

the nests made of thousands of sticks collected both parents , lined green eucalyptus leaves, pine needles, camphor leaves or other aromatic greenery possibly deter carriers of diseases, such mites , insects, due repelling smell of leaves, though greenery put in place weeks before first egg laid. nests can measure 50 70 cm (20 28 in) in width , 30–75 cm (12–30 in) deep.

black sparrowhawks form monogamous pairs, though extra-pair matings not uncommon. nesting pair mate regularly throughout breeding season, starting during courtship , continuing till after chicks have fledged. once nest building or refurbishing starts female becomes lethargic, , male hunting , provisioning of female , chicks when hatch. typically, pair lay 2-4 eggs , incubate them 34–38 days until hatch. of incubating done female, male take on after has brought in prey. female eat food, , possibly bathe in nearby stream, before taking on incubation once again. behavior persists brooding period, after female may start hunt food, if nest left largely undisturbed other predators. remains chief defender of nest , chicks. newly hatched chicks semialtricial in covered in white down feathers cannot leave nest since rely on parents food, warmth, , protection. after 37 50 days, juveniles fledged parents continue care them next 37 47 days. entire time egg-laying juvenile independence can, therefore, 20 weeks, or 5 months.

black sparrowhawks known attempt multiple brooding on occasions. behavior exceeding rare in birds of prey. second brood may raised in same nest, or in second nest nearby, fledglings first brood continue fed parents.

nests re-used year after year, same pair. 1 nest is, in fact, known have been used continuously 32 years succession of pairs.