The bird formerly known as the sparrow hawk is now called the Eurasian sparrowhawk. This name change occurred in the early 2000s as part of an effort by ornithologists to standardize bird names and classify species more accurately based on their evolutionary relationships.
Why the Name Change from Sparrow Hawk?
The sparrow hawk was renamed for several reasons:
- To distinguish it from other hawk species around the world that are also called “sparrow hawks” but are not closely related, like the African sparrowhawk.
- To indicate its geographic range in Eurasia.
- To classify it within the Accipiter genus of hawks according to its physical traits and DNA.
The Eurasian sparrowhawk remains the same species as the former sparrow hawk, just with a new name to better reflect its taxonomy. The scientific name Accipiter nisus has not changed.
Description of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk
The Eurasian sparrowhawk is a small hawk, with males reaching up to 14 inches in length and weighing 5-7 ounces, and females reaching up to 18 inches and weighing 10-16 ounces. It has the typical physical features of Accipiter hawks:
- Short, rounded wings
- Long tail
- Long, slender tarsi (lower legs)
- Sharp, curved talons
- Hooked beak
Its plumage is primarily bluish-gray above and pale underneath, with horizontal barring. The female is considerably larger than the male. Juveniles have brown plumage before molting to adult coloration.
It is found throughout most of Europe and Asia, preferring mixed woodland habitats. As its former name implies, sparrowhawks primarily prey on small birds like sparrows, though they will also take other small animals.
Reasons for the Sparrow Hawk Name Change
Here are some of the main factors that led to reclassifying and renaming the sparrow hawk:
Confusion with Unrelated Species
The name “sparrow hawk” was very unspecific, and referred to many unrelated Accipiter hawk species in different parts of the world that happened to prey on sparrows. The Eurasian sparrowhawk shares no close evolutionary relationship with the African sparrowhawk or the North American sparrowhawks, for example.
Better Taxonomic Classification
Scientists realized all the true sparrowhawks were closely related members of the Accipiter genus. Adding “Eurasian” and clarifying the geographic range helps distinguish the species as a specific member of this genus.
Understanding Evolutionary Relationships
Modern DNA analysis helped scientists untangle the evolutionary relationships between different raptor species. This showed the close genetic ties between the Eurasian sparrowhawk and other Accipiter hawks, necessitating updated naming and classification to reflect evolutionary history.
Need for Specificity in Conservation
For organizations focused on raptor conservation, lumping many unrelated species under the name “sparrow hawk” caused confusion. More precise naming makes it easier to identify, study, and protect the Eurasian sparrowhawk specifically.
How the Sparrow Hawk Differs from True Sparrowhawks
While formerly lumped together based on diet, the Eurasian sparrowhawk differs in key ways from other hawks called “sparrowhawks,” like:
| Species | Range | Size | Plumage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eurasian Sparrowhawk | Europe, Asia | Medium-small | Bluish-gray above, pale below with barring |
| African Sparrowhawk | Sub-Saharan Africa | Small | Gray above, pale below with less distinct barring |
| American Sparrowhawk | North America | Small | Brownish-gray, with reddish barring below |
Their evolutionary lineages diverged millions of years ago on separate continents, before dispersing more widely. Only DNA analysis revealed how distantly related they truly are.
Other Name Changes Resulting from Taxonomic Reclassification
The Eurasian sparrowhawk is not the only raptor species renamed due to improved taxonomy. Here are a few other examples:
- Marsh hawk -> Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus)
- Hen harrier -> Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus)
- Ringtail -> Harris’s hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
- Buzzard hawk -> Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
In each case, “lumping” together unrelated species under a common name was replaced by more precise common and scientific names reflecting true evolutionary relationships.
More Consistent Naming Conventions
Ornithologists aimed for more logical, consistent naming across geographic regions and scientific publications. For example, Red-tailed hawk was chosen for the widespread North American species, rather than use local names like buzzard hawk, hen hawk, or chicken hawk in different areas.
Shift from Diet to Evolutionary Relationships
Some previous names focused on perceived prey preferences, like sparrow hawk or marsh hawk. New taxonomy focused more on physical characteristics and DNA in classifying evolutionary relationships between species.
Need for Global Precision
As scientific communication became more global, precise scientific names were needed to differentiate between related species on different continents that were all loosely called by names like “sparrow hawk.”
What Else Has Changed Besides the Name?
Very little has changed about the Eurasian sparrowhawk besides its common name. A few minor updates:
- More research on its global population, diet, and migration patterns.
- Shift from former “Least Concern” conservation status to “Near Threatened” status in 2015.
- Greater understanding of how it is threatened by human activity and pesticides.
- Increased breeding programs in conservation centers and zoos to help support wild Eurasian sparrowhawk populations.
But the Eurasian sparrowhawk remains the same species. Its appearance, behavior, habitat, and ecological role are unchanged. Only its name and taxonomic placement within Accipiter have been updated.
Field Identification Still the Same
For birders and amateur ornithologists, the Eurasian sparrowhawk can still be identified by the same field marks – its small size, slender build, long tail, sharp wings, and bluish-gray plumage. The name change has not altered field identification criteria.
No Change to Legal Protection Status
In areas where the Eurasian sparrowhawk is protected by law, these legal protections remain unchanged. Its conservation status is now Near Threatened, rather than Least Concern, but this does not automatically alter its legal status.
Conclusion
For most practical purposes, the Eurasian sparrowhawk remains the same familiar bird species as the former sparrow hawk. Only its name has changed, to better reflect our evolving scientific understanding of its taxonomy and relationship to other raptors. Specific naming helps distinguish it from unrelated hawks on other continents also called “sparrow hawks.” While the name is new, the bird itself remains just as it always has.
