Black Sparrowhawk

The Black Sparrowhawk is the biggest member of the accipiter group in Africa, occupying forest, forest edge, and wooded plantations across much of sub-Saharan Africa. Unusually for the genus, it occurs in two distinct plumage morphs, a boldly pied black-and-white form and an entirely dark form, both sharing the same powerful, forest-adapted build.

In the pied morph, back and crown feathers are glossy black with sharply demarcated white underparts, and a narrow black streak runs down the white throat. Tail feathers are long and barred, broader than smaller accipiters given the species' greater size. In the dark (melanistic) morph, body feathers are uniformly sooty black throughout, lacking the white underparts of the pied form, and this morph is proportionally more common in tropical parts of the range.

The pied adult form is black above and white below with a distinctive black stripe down the white throat, while the melanistic form is entirely blackish. Juveniles of both morphs are browner and less crisply patterned than adults, gradually acquiring adult coloration through successive molts. Sexes are similar in pattern, though females are notably larger than males, as typical for accipiters.

This species occupies forest, forest edge, wooded plantations, and increasingly wooded suburbs across much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is largely resident, defending forest territories throughout the year.

It hunts birds up to the size of pigeons and doves, pursuing them in fast, agile flight through and around forest canopy. Nests are built high in tall forest trees, and the species gives sharp, often repeated calls around the nest site, particularly during the breeding season.