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

He cited sparrow hawk nests and badgers as evidence that Sitka forests foster wildlife.

From The Guardian • Jul. 7, 2019

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

Tomorrow is St. Valentine's Day, when every bird chooses her mate; but you will not see the linnet pair with the sparrow hawk, nor the Robin Redbreast with the kite.

From The Fair Maid of Perth Or, St. Valentine's Day by Scott, Walter, Sir