sparrow hawk

American  

noun

1. a small, short-winged European hawk, Accipiter nisus, that preys on smaller birds.

2. American kestrel.

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sparrow hawk British  

noun

1. a very small North American falcon, Falco sparverius, that is closely related to the kestrels

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Etymology

Origin of sparrow hawk

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Upon searching for the cause of a dull thump against one of our windows we discovered this sparrow hawk, just three yards from our window on our terrace.

From The Guardian • Apr. 30, 2020

In the sky above, London’s top predators – the peregrine falcon, kestrel and sparrow hawk – keep an eye out for pigeons and songbirds flirting in the garden.

From The Guardian • Apr. 28, 2020

The song of the sparrow hawk, for example, is like “a speeded-up recording of the sound of the night-jar.”

From The New Yorker • Apr. 17, 2017

The university’s own website, however, insists the team’s name now refers to an imaginary hybrid of a blue jay and a sparrow hawk, so we’ll have to go with that.

From Slate • Mar. 14, 2012

A. Because such drink no water to make their meat digest and need no bladder for urine; as appears in such birds as do not drink at all, viz., the falcon and sparrow hawk.

From The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher Containing his Complete Masterpiece and Family Physician; his Experienced Midwife, his Book of Problems and his Remarks on Physiognomy by Aristotle