horizontal barring underneath; strongly banded tail (Finland; 2008-09-13)


Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus

Native Range: Eurasia

Notes: a medium-sized raptor of woodlands as well as open spaces; often soars, but also hunts by flying fast and low; short rounded wings help to distinguish this species from falcons such as hobbies, merlins, or kestrels; barring underneath is also a good field mark.

rather short, rounded wings (Finland; 2008-09-13)
often soars in addition to low rapid flight (Finland; 2008-09-13)

extensively barred and banded underneath (Finland; 2008-09-13)