Editing Levant sparrowhawk

{{short description|Species of bird}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Levant sparrowhawk
| image = Accipiter brevipes 1.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 13 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2018 |title=''Accipiter brevipes'' |volume=2018 |page=e.T22695499A131936047 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22695499A131936047.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Tachyspiza
| species = brevipes
| authority = ([[Nikolai Alekseevich Severtzov|Severtzov]], 1850)
| range_map = AccipiterBrevipesIUCNver2018 2.png
| range_map_caption = Range of ''A. brevipes''{{leftlegend|#00FF00|Breeding|outline=gray}} {{leftlegend|#007FFF|Non-breeding|outline=gray}} {{leftlegend|#00FFFF|Passage|outline=gray}}
}}

The '''Levant sparrowhawk''' ('''''Tachyspiza brevipes''''') is a small [[bird of prey]]. It measures {{convert|32|–|38|cm|abbr=on}} in length with a wingspan of {{convert|65|–|75|cm|abbr=on}}. The female is larger than the male, but the difference is not as marked as with [[Eurasian sparrowhawk]]. The adult male is blue-grey above, with dark wingtips, and barred reddish below.

It breeds in forests from [[Greece]] and the [[Balkans]] east to southern [[Russia]]. It is [[bird migration|migratory]], wintering from [[Egypt]] across to southwestern [[Iran]]. It will migrate in large flocks, unlike the more widespread [[Eurasian sparrowhawk]].

==Taxonomy==
The Levant sparrowhawk was [[species description|formally described]] in 1850 by the Russian naturalist [[Nikolai Severtzov]] under the [[binomial name]] ''Astur brevipes''.<ref>{{ cite journal | last=Severtzov | first=Nikolai | author-link=Nikolai Severtzov | date= | title=''Astur brevipes'', nouvelle espèce Russe| language=French | journal=Bulletin de la Société impériale des naturalistes de Moscou | volume=23 | issue=3–4 | pages=234-239 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/44119706 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite book | editor1-last=Mayr | editor1-first=Ernst | editor1-link=Ernst Mayr | editor2-last=Cottrell | editor2-first=G. William | year=1979 | title=Check-List of Birds of the World | volume=1 | edition=2nd | publisher=Museum of Comparative Zoology | place=Cambridge, Massachusetts | pages=327-328 | url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/16108967 }}</ref> The species was formerly placed in the large and diverse genus ''[[Accipiter]]''. In 2024 a comprehensive [[molecular phylogenetic]] study of the Accipitridae confirmed earlier work that had shown that the genus was [[polyphyletic]].<ref>{{Cite journal | last1=Catanach | first1=T.A. | last2=Halley | first2=M.R. | last3=Pirro | first3=S. | date=2024 | title=Enigmas no longer: using ultraconserved elements to place several unusual hawk taxa and address the non-monophyly of the genus ''Accipiter'' (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) | journal=Biological Journal of the Linnean Society | pages=blae028 | doi=10.1093/biolinnean/blae028}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last1=Mindell | first1=D. | last2=Fuchs | first2=J. | last3=Johnson | first3=J. | date=2018 | chapter=Phylogeny, taxonomy, and geographic diversity of diurnal raptors: Falconiformes, Accipitriformes, and Cathartiformes  | editor1-last=Sarasola | editor1-first=J.H. | editor2-last=Grange | editor2-first=J.M. | editor3-last=Negro | editor3-first=J.J. | title=Birds of Prey: Biology and conservation in the XXI century | location=Cham, Switzerland | publisher=Springer | isbn=978-3-319-73744-7 | pages=3-32 | url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326086278 }}</ref> To resolve the non-[[monophyletic|monophyly]], ''Accipiter'' was divided into six genera. The genus ''[[Tachyspiza]]'' was resurrected to accommodate the Levant sparrowhawk together with 26 other species that had previously been placed in ''Accipiter''. The resurrected genus had been introduced in 1844 by the German naturalist [[Johann Jakob Kaup]].<ref name=ioc>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | editor3-last=Rasmussen | editor3-first=Pamela | editor3-link=Pamela C. Rasmussen | date=August 2024 | title=Hoatzin, New World vultures, Secretarybird, raptors | work=IOC World Bird List Version 14.2 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/raptors/| publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | access-date=21 August 2024 }}</ref>  The genus name combines the [[Ancient Greek]] ταχυς (''takhus'') meaning "fast" with σπιζιας (''spizias'') meaning "hawk".<ref>{{ cite web | last=Jobling | first=James A. | title=Tachyspiza | work=The Key to Scientific Names | url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/key-to-scientific-names/search?q=Tachyspiza | publisher=Cornell Lab of Ornithology | access-date=24 August 2024 }}</ref> The specific epithet combines [[Latin]] ''brevis'' meaning "short" with ''pes'', ''pedis'' meaning "foot".<ref>{{ cite web | last=Jobling | first=James A. | title=brevipes | work=The Key to Scientific Names | url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/key-to-scientific-names/search?q=brevipes | publisher=Cornell Lab of Ornithology | access-date=24 August 2024 }}</ref> 

It is sometimes considered to be a subspecies of the [[shikra]] (''Tachyspiza badia''), though it differs in measurements, proportions and plumage, and breeds [[wiktionary:contiguous|contiguously]] with the latter (typically considered a reliable indicator of [[speciation]]) over at least part of its range. Along with the shikra, the [[Chinese sparrowhawk]] (''Tachyspiza soloensis'') and the [[Nicobar sparrowhawk]] (''Tachyspiza butleri''), it makes up a complex [[species group]].<ref name = "Ferg-Lees531"/> It is known to have [[hybrid (biology)|hybridised]] with the shikra and the [[Eurasian sparrowhawk]].<ref name = "McCarthy"/> Despite its extensive range, no [[subspecies]] are recognised.<ref name=ioc/>

==Description==
[[File:Accipiter brevipes, Nestos River, Topiros, Greece 3.jpg|left|thumb|241x241px|A juvenile Levant Sparrowhawk in [[Topeiros]], [[Greece]]]]
The Levant sparrowhawk is a small [[Bird of prey|raptor]] with short broad wings and a longish tail, both adaptations to maneuvering through trees. It is similar to the [[Eurasian sparrowhawk]], but its shorter tail and more pointed wings give it a more [[falcon|falcon-like]] appearance. It is much smaller than most raptors, measuring {{convert|32|-|38|cm|abbr=on}} in length with a [[wingspan]] of {{convert|65|-|75|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Beaman193" /> As with all birds of prey, the [[sexual dimorphism|female is larger]] than the male.<ref name="Ferg-Lees529" /> The male is blue-grey above and pale below, with underparts and leg feathers finely barred in rufous and white. His head is blue-grey as well, with a white throat bisected by a dark central stripe (sometimes quite faint). The female is slate-grey above with darkish wingtips and is barred reddish brown below and may show a dark throat line. Both sexes have orangish-yellow legs and a yellow [[cere]].<ref name="Clark126" /> The juvenile is dark brown above, has dark-streaked underparts and it shows a dark throat line. 

==Behaviour==

===Breeding===
[[File:Accipiter brevipes MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.94.2.jpg|thumb|upright| ''Accipiter brevipes'' - [[MHNT]]]]

The Levant sparrowhawk breeds from mid-May through August.<ref name = "Ferg-Lees531"/> The pair is territorial while breeding, often performing high-circling aerial displays.<ref name = "Ferg-Lees531"/><ref name = "Clark128"/> The female is thought to make the [[bird nest|nest]].<ref name = "Perrins"/> She builds a new one every year, a small structure of twigs on a branch or in a fork of a [[broad-leaved tree]].<ref name = "Ferg-Lees531"/><ref name = "Wimberger"/> The nest tree is often near running water, typically in open woodland, on a forest edge, or in an isolated clump of trees. The nest, which measures up to {{convert|30|cm|abbr=on}} across and {{convert|15|cm|abbr=on}} deep, is lined with green leaves. Most nests are located between {{convert|5|-|10|m|abbr=on}} above the ground, but they have been found as low as {{convert|4|m|abbr=on}} and as high as {{convert|20|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name = "Ferg-Lees531"/>

The female lays a [[clutch (eggs)|clutch]] of {{nowrap|2–5 eggs}} which she alone [[egg incubation|incubates]] for {{nowrap|30–35 days}}.<ref name = "Perrins"/><ref name = "ABCC"/> Hatching is [[wiktionary:asynchronous|asynchronous]]. Nestlings fledge some {{nowrap|40–45 days}} after hatching and are independent about {{nowrap|15 days}} later.<ref name = "Ferg-Lees531"/>

===Flight and migration===
Though able to flap continually (like most birds), Levant sparrowhawks typically use soaring-and-gliding flight while migrating; they also use thermals when those are available,<ref name = "Ferg-Lees45"/> and are known to occasionally hover.<ref name = "Ferg-Lees64"/>

=== Hunting ===
It hunts small [[bird]]s, [[insect]]s, rodents, and [[lizard]]s in woodland or semi-desert areas, relying on surprise as it flies from a perch to catch its prey unaware.

==Population==
According to [[BirdLife International]], Levant Sparrowhawks have a global population size of 8,190-20,400 mature individuals, with 75-94% percent of them living in [[Europe]]. It should be mentioned though that it is likely that this is an underestimate due to difficulties with identification and its secretive nature.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Levant Sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes) - BirdLife species factsheet |url=https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/levant-sparrowhawk-accipiter-brevipes/text |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=datazone.birdlife.org}}</ref> In [[Armenia]] the population of Levant Sparrowhawks is estimated as 180–220 breeding pairs.<ref name="ABCC">{{cite web |title=The State of Levant Sparrowhawks in Armenia |url=https://www.abcc-am.org/levant-sparrowhawk.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604070346/https://www.abcc-am.org/levant-sparrowhawk.html |archive-date=4 June 2017 |department=Armenian Bird Census Council |publisher=TSE NGO |url-status=usurped |access-date=4 February 2021}}</ref>

==Conservation and threats==
Because of its vast range and stable population, the Levant Sparrowhawk is listed as a species of [[least concern]] by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]]. The development of wind farms may affect its numbers.<ref name="iucn status 13 November 2021" />

==References==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|refs = 
<ref name = "Beaman193">Beaman and Madge (1998), p. 193.</ref>
<ref name = "Clark128">Clark and Schmitt (1999), p. 128.</ref>
<ref name = "Clark126">Clark and Schmitt (1999), p. 126.</ref>
<ref name = "Ferg-Lees45">Ferguson-Lees and Christie (2001), p. 45.</ref>
<ref name = "Ferg-Lees64">Ferguson-Lees and Christie (2001), p. 64.</ref>
<ref name = "Ferg-Lees529">Ferguson-Lees and Christie (2001), p. 529.</ref>
<ref name = "Ferg-Lees531">Ferguson-Lees and Christie (2001), p. 531.</ref>
<ref name = "McCarthy">{{cite book | title = Handbook of Avian Hybrids of the World | first = Eugene M. | last = McCarthy | year = 2006 | location = Oxford, UK | publisher = Oxford University Press | page = 180 | isbn = 978-0-19-518323-8 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MwInO7z_Y3oC&pg=PA180}}</ref>
<ref name = "Perrins">{{cite book | title = New Generation Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe | first = Christopher M. | last = Perrins | year = 1987 | publisher = University of Texas Press | location = Austin, TX, US | page = 96 | isbn = 9780292755321 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=KpJ842WIqSMC&pg=PA96}}</ref>
<ref name = "Wimberger">{{cite journal | journal = The Auk | title = The Use of Green Plant Material in Bird Nests to Avoid Ectoparasites | first = Peter M. | last = Wimberger | volume = 101 | issue = 3 | pages = 615–618 | date = July 1984 | doi = 10.1093/auk/101.3.615 | url = https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/auk/v101n03/p0615-p0618.pdf }}</ref>
}}

===Cited texts===
* {{cite book | title = The Handbook of Bird Identification for Europe and the Western Palearctic | first1 = Mark | last1 = Beaman | first2 = Steve | last2 = Madge | year = 1998 | publisher = Christopher Helm | location = London, UK | isbn = 978-0-7136-3960-5}}
* {{cite book | title = A Field Guide to the Raptors of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa | first1 = William S. | last1 = Clark | first2 = N. John | last2 = Schmitt | year = 1999 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = Oxford, UK | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EVzkOXlIFAw | isbn = 0-19-854662-9}}
* {{cite book | title = Raptors of the World | first1 = James | last1 = Ferguson-Lees | first2 = David A. | last2 = Christie | year = 2001 | publisher = Christopher Helm | location = London, UK | isbn = 0-618-12762-3 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hlIztc05HTQC&pg=PA526}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Accipiter brevipes}}
{{Wikispecies|Tachyspiza brevipes}}
* {{BirdLife|22695499|Accipiter brevipes}}
* {{Avibase|name=Accipiter brevipes}}
* {{InternetBirdCollection|levant-sparrowhawk-accipiter-brevipes}}
* {{IUCN_Map|22695499/210422870|Accipiter brevipes}}
* {{Xeno-canto species|Accipiter|brevipes|Levant sparrowhawk}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q114338}}

[[Category:Tachyspiza|Levant sparrowhawk]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1850|Levant sparrowhawk]]
[[Category:Birds of prey of Europe]]
[[Category:Birds of West Asia]]
[[Category:Wintering birds of Africa]]