Chinese Sparrowhawk vs Eurasian Sparrowhawk

In short

The Chinese Sparrowhawk and Eurasian Sparrowhawk can be distinguished primarily by their size and plumage. The Chinese Sparrowhawk is generally smaller and has a more uniform appearance compared to the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, which exhibits sexual dimorphism with males showing slate-blue upperparts and rufous cheeks. Both species have yellow eyes and legs, making size and plumage the key differentiators.

Identification tips

1. Size: Note the smaller size of the Chinese Sparrowhawk compared to the Eurasian Sparrowhawk. 2. Plumage: Look for the slate-blue upperparts and rufous cheeks in male Eurasian Sparrowhawks. 3. Sexual Dimorphism: Consider the size and plumage differences between male and female Eurasian Sparrowhawks.

Size

The Chinese Sparrowhawk is smaller than the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, which shows significant size variation between sexes.

Plumage

The Eurasian Sparrowhawk male has slate-blue upperparts and a rufous wash on the cheeks and breast, while the female is gray-brown with a prominent supercilium. The Chinese Sparrowhawk tends to have a more uniform appearance.