Japanese sparrowhawk

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Japanese sparrowhawk
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Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Tachyspiza
Species:
T. gularis
Binomial name
Tachyspiza gularis
(Temminck & Schlegel, 1845)
Subspecies
  • T. g. gularis - (Temminck & Schlegel, 1845)
  • T. g. sibiricus - (Stepanyan, 1959)
  • T. g. iwasakii - (Mishima, 1962)

The Japanese sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza gularis) is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers. It was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter . The bird is known by many alternative names such as the Japanese lesser, Asiatic, or Eastern sparrowhawk. [2] This species is a small raptor with broader and rounder wings and a shorter tail. [3] Its total length measures 23–30 centimetres (9.1–11.8 in). It has a dark back and whitish underside with brown-grey barring and red-brown colouring on the sides in males, and with heavier brown barring on the abdomen in females. Both sexes have a stripe across the throat, but its more obvious in the female. Is it typically identified by its appearance, but occasionally produces a chattering kiki-kik-kik... sound. This species generally breeds in parts of Russia, Korea, Japan, and China. There are three subspecies of Japanese sparrowhawk that differ by distribution and appearance. The species is globally listed as least concern, although it is listed as endangered in Japan and protected in China.

Contents

Taxonomy

The Japanese sparrowhawk was formally described in 1845 by the zoologists Coenraad Jacob Temminck and Hermann Schlegel in Philipp Franz von Siebold's Fauna Japonica. They specified the scientific name Astur (Nisus) gularis, [4] [5] where Nisus was an alternative possible genus: it had been introduced by Georges Cuvier in 1800. [6] [7] The specific epithet gularis is Modern Latin meaning "of the throat" or "throated". [8]

The Japanese sparrowhawk was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter . In 2024 a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of the Accipitridae confirmed earlier work that had shown that the genus was polyphyletic. [9] [10] To resolve the non-monophyly, Accipiter was divided into five genera. The genus Tachyspiza was resurrected to accommodate the Japanese 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. [11] The genus name combines the Ancient Greek ταχυς (takhus) meaning "fast" with σπιζιας (spizias) meaning "hawk". [12]

The species is closely related to the Besra (Tachyspiza virgata). [3] [2] For a time, it was thought the Japanese sparrowhawk was a migratory subspecies of the Besra, but that was disproved. [2] It was then thought that the Besra and Japanese sparrowhawk were two very closely related species. [13] However, it was recently discovered that they are not as closely related [14] despite their similar appearances and might be more closely related to the collared sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza cirrocephala) of Australasia. [15]  

Three subspecies are recognised: [11]

Description

Adult male Japanese sparrowhawks measure between 23–30 centimetres (9.1–11.8 in) in length with a wingspan measuring 46–58 centimetres (18–23 in), and weigh 92–142 grams (3.2–5.0 oz). [2] They have a small, curved bill, long pointed wingtips, a relatively short-tail and long, slim legs and toes. [2] Adult males have black-slate upperparts with white on the nape of the neck. They have whitish underparts with grey-brown and washed red-brown barring. Adult males have yellow legs and their tail feathers are grey with four dark bands. They have red-orange eyes with brown-grey patches on the cheeks, and a subtle line on their white throats.  

In flight, adult males appear to have a faint red-brown wash on either side of the chest, distinct brown-grey bars on wing-linings and flanks, and their flight feathers have thin bands. [2]

Adult females are larger than their male counterparts, weighing around 111–193 centimetres (44–76 in). [2] [17] They have brown upperparts, but they do not have any red-brown barring on their underparts or sides. [2] Adult females have a white body and wing-linings with brown-grey barring. They have yellow eyes, and like the adult males, have yellow legs and a stripe over the throat, but it is more obvious on adult females. [2]

Juveniles are dark brown on the upperparts with buff or red-brown sides. [2] They have cream-coloured underparts with red-brown streaking on the breast, spots on the abdomen and barring on their sides. They also have white above the eye and the nape of the neck with thin bars on the tail feathers. [2] Juveniles also have a throat stripe, but their eyes are brown, and their feet are yellow-green. [2]

Overall, these descriptions remain the same among the Tachyspiza gularis gularis and T. g. sibiricus subspecies. [3] However, the adult iwasakii subspecies is smaller with a darker back, broader spots on the abdomen, lighter-coloured eyes and more rounded wingtips than the other two subspecies. [18] [2]

Distribution and habitat

The Japanese sparrowhawk typically inhabits many forest types such as deciduous, coniferous and mixed, at elevations up to 1800 meters but usually below 1000 meters. [2] [3] It prefers southern taiga and subalpine zones near rivers. [2] During migration and wintering, they can be seen in villages, and open areas where woodlands and shrubs mix with marshes and fields. [2]

The species can generally be found at its breeding grounds in eastern Russia, eastwards to Sakhalin, the Korean peninsula, Japan, and Northeastern China. [2] [18] Although, the distribution of the Japanese sparrowhawk varies by and within subspecies. Tachyspiza gularis sibiricus is migratory and breeds from Mongolia to eastern China and is thought to winter in southeast Asia and Indonesia. [11] Alternatively, Tachyspiza g. iwasakii is sedentary and lives solely in evergreen subtropical forests [3] on the South Ryukyu Islands of Japan. [11] Whereas, Tachyspiza g. gularis is the most widespread subspecies and is made up of two major populations. [18] The first is migratory and breeds in northeast China, in the most eastern parts of Russia, as well as Japan. [11] It winters in the Philippines and Indonesia. The second major population of T. g. gularis are resident breeders in urban and suburban Japan. [3] [18]  

Behaviour

The Japanese sparrowhawk is secretive and not often seen outside forested areas during the breeding season. [2] At this time, it is either alone or coupled. During migration, it can be seen in dashing flight and soaring. [2] They migrate from mid-September until November and from mid-April until June. [2] While migrating, they are typically flying alone or in small flocks. [3] In winter, they are seen perched in more open areas. [2]  

Vocalizations

The Japanese sparrowhawk vocalizes solely while breeding. [2] The main call consists of a chattering kiki-kik-kik... sound. The speed and volume of the call can change according to the circumstances. [2] For example, it is slower during advertisement and contact between a couple, and softer while bringing prey and soliciting. Whereas, during territorial or defensive displays against intruders, humans or predators, the call is much faster. Other reported sounds are a mewing key-key and a shrill kee-bick, [19] as well as a kwu between mates prior to nesting. [20]  

Food and feeding

The Japanese sparrowhawk hunts in clearings by surprising prey from perches and by chasing in flight. [2] [3] It often hunts small forest passerines like sparrows, buntings, warblers, tits, nuthatches, and sometimes larger birds like magpies and pigeons. [2] [3] But, it also opportunistically preys on small mammals like voles, [3] and bats, [17] as well as insects and sometimes reptiles.bow/>

Breeding

The Japanese sparrowhawk breeds from June to August. [2] Individuals find a partners and begin with a pre-nesting display whereby both members make kwu sounds while bowing their heads and lifting their tails on a perch. [20] They also perform aerial displays that include undulating sky dances, high-circling and slow flapping. [2] The couple will build their nest in a tree, typically near the tree trunk and around 10 meters off the ground. [2] The nest is composed of twigs and lined with leaves and pieces of bark. They lay clutches of 4 to 5 eggs in June in Siberia and 2 to 3 eggs a bit earlier in China and Japan. [2] [3] The incubation period lasts between 25 and 28 days, and chicks fledge in June in Japan and August in Siberia. [3]

Conservation status

The Japanese sparrowhawk is globally listed as least concern by the IUCN Red List and the population is considered stable with an estimated 13,400 to 67,000 mature adults. [21] However, it is a class II protected species in China [14] Moreover, the A. g. iwasakii subspecies is classified as endangered in the Red Data Book of the Japan Ministry of the Environment due to declines in nesting spots and breeding success, but its estimated population size and life history parameters remain poorly understood. [2] [18]  

Related Research Articles

<i>Accipiter</i> Genus of birds

Accipiter is a genus of birds of prey in the family Accipitridae. With around 50 recognized species it is the most diverse genus in its family. Most species are called goshawks or sparrowhawks, although with the exception of the American goshawk almost all New World species are simply known as "hawks". They can be anatomically distinguished from their relatives by the lack of a procoracoid foramen. Two small and aberrant species usually placed here do possess a large procoracoid foramen and are also distinct as regards DNA sequence. They may warrant separation in the old genus Hieraspiza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Accipitrinae</span> Subfamily of birds

The Accipitrinae are the subfamily of the Accipitridae often known as the "true" hawks, including all members of Accipiter and the closely related genera Erythrotriorchis, and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread genus Accipiter includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, the sharp-shinned hawk and others. They are primarily woodland birds that hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch, with long tails, broad wings and high visual acuity facilitating this lifestyle. In light of recent genetic research, the kites of the traditional subfamily Milvinae may also belong to this group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shikra</span> Species of bird

The shikra is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae found widely distributed in Asia and Africa where it is also called the little banded goshawk. The African forms may represent a separate species but have usually been considered as subspecies of the shikra. The shikra is very similar in appearance, as well as behavior, at least to some degree, to other species including the Chinese sparrowhawk, Eurasian goshawk and Eurasian sparrowhawk. They have a sharp two note call and have the typical flap and glide flight. Their calls are imitated by drongos and the common hawk-cuckoo resembles it in plumage. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Besra</span> Species of bird

The besra, also called the besra sparrowhawk, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter. The name "besra" is from the Hindi word for the species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crested goshawk</span> Species of bird

The crested goshawk is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae that is widely distributed in tropical Asia. It was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levant sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The Levant sparrowhawk is a small bird of prey. It measures 32–38 cm (13–15 in) in length with a wingspan of 65–75 cm (26–30 in). 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frances's sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

Frances's sparrowhawk is a small bird of prey. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter. The nominate subspecies, T. f. francesiae, is endemic to Madagascar, and the other subspecies are found in the Comoro Islands. The Anjouan sparrowhawk, also known as the Anjouan Island sparrowhawk, Ndzuwani goshawk or Joanna Island goshawk, was thought to be extinct until searches in the 1980s and in 2005 confirmed that it is still extant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinese sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The Chinese sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza soloensis) is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collared sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The collared sparrowhawk is a small, slim bird of prey in the family Accipitridae found in Australia, New Guinea and nearby smaller islands. It was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter. As its name implies the collared sparrowhawk is a specialist in hunting small birds. It is characterised by its slight brow ridges and slender feet. The last segment of their middle toe projects beyond the claws of the other toes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brown goshawk</span> Species of bird

The brown goshawk is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae found in Australia and surrounding islands. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey goshawk</span> Species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae

The grey goshawk is a strongly built, medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae that is found in eastern and northern Australia. The white morph of this species is known as the white goshawk. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiny hawk</span> Species of bird

The tiny hawk is a small diurnal bird of prey found in or near forests, primarily humid, throughout much of the Neotropics. It is primarily a bird-eater, and is known to prey on hummingbirds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicobar sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The Nicobar sparrowhawk is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India. There are two subspecies, the nominate race which is found on Car Nicobar in the north of the archipelago, and T. b. obsoletus, from Katchal and Camorta in the central part of the Nicobars. A museum specimen originally attributed to this species from the island of Great Nicobar was later found to be a misidentified Besra. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-necked sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The rufous-necked sparrowhawk is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-thighed sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The red-thighed sparrowhawk, alternatively known as the red-legged sparrowhawk or western little sparrowhawk, is a species of sparrowhawk in the family Accipitridae from western and northern central Africa. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-mantled goshawk</span> Species of bird

The black-mantled goshawk is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is found in the highlands of New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The little sparrowhawk is a species of Afrotropical bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter. It is the smallest member of the genus Tachyspiza and forms a superspecies with the red-thighed sparrowhawk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwarf sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The dwarf sparrowhawk, also known as the small sparrowhawk, is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-breasted sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The rufous-breasted sparrowhawk, also known as the rufous-chested sparrowhawk and as the red-breasted sparrowhawk, is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

<i>Tachyspiza</i> Genus of birds

Tachyspiza is a genus containing goshawks and sparrowhawk in the family Accipitridae. The species were formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2016). "Accipiter gularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22695585A93517362. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695585A93517362.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Ferguson-Lees, J.; Christie, D. A. (2001). Raptors of the World. London, UK: Christopher Helm.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Orta, J.; Marks, J.S. (2020). del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D.A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). "Japanese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis), version 1.0" . Birds of the World. Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  4. ↑ Temminck, Coenraad Jacob; Schlegel, Hermann (1850). Siebold, Philipp Franz von (ed.). Fauna Japonica (in French). Vol. 4 Aves. Lugduni Batavorum (Leiden): Apud Auctorem. pp. 5–6, Plate 2. For the publication date see: Mlíkovský, Jiří (2012). "The dating of Temminck & Schlegels "Fauna Japonica: Aves", with implications for the nomenclature of birds". Zoological Bibliography. 2 (2 & 3): 105–117.
  5. ↑ Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1979). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 337.
  6. ↑ Cuvier, Georges (1800). Leçons d'anatomie comparee de G. Cuvier (in French). Vol. 1. Paris: Baudouin. Table near end.
  7. ↑ Jobling, James A. "Nisus". The Key to Scientific Names. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  8. ↑ Jobling, James A. "gularis". The Key to Scientific Names. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  9. ↑ Catanach, T.A.; Halley, M.R.; Pirro, S. (2024). "Enigmas no longer: using ultraconserved elements to place several unusual hawk taxa and address the non-monophyly of the genus Accipiter (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae)". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society: blae028. doi:10.1093/biolinnean/blae028.
  10. ↑ Mindell, D.; Fuchs, J.; Johnson, J. (2018). "Phylogeny, taxonomy, and geographic diversity of diurnal raptors: Falconiformes, Accipitriformes, and Cathartiformes". In Sarasola, J.H.; Grange, J.M.; Negro, J.J. (eds.). Birds of Prey: Biology and conservation in the XXI century. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. pp. 3–32. ISBN   978-3-319-73744-7.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (August 2024). "Hoatzin, New World vultures, Secretarybird, raptors". IOC World Bird List Version 14.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  12. ↑ Jobling, James A. "Tachyspiza". The Key to Scientific Names. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  13. ↑ Breman, Floris C.; Jordaens, Kurt; Sonet, Gontran; Nagy, Zoltán T.; Van Houdt, Jeroen; Louette, Michel (2012). "DNA barcoding and evolutionary relationships in Accipiter Brisson, 1760 (Aves, Falconiformes: Accipitridae) with a focus on African and Eurasian representatives". Journal of Ornithology. 154 (1): 265–287. doi:10.1007/s10336-012-0892-5. ISSN   2193-7192.
  14. 1 2 Liu, Gang; Li, Chao; Du, Youwen; Liu, Xiaoying (2017). "The complete mitochondrial genome of Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis) and the phylogenetic relationships among some predatory birds". Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 70: 116–125. Bibcode:2017BioSE..70..116L. doi:10.1016/j.bse.2016.11.007. ISSN   0305-1978.
  15. ↑ Lerner, H.R.L.; Klaver, M.C.; Mindell, D. P. (2008). "Molecular phylogenetics of the Buteonine birds of prey (Accipitridae)". The Auk. 125 (2): 304–315. doi:10.1525/auk.2008.06161.
  16. ↑ Mishima, Todi (1962). "A new race of Accipiter virgatus and validity of the race pullus of the Common Noddy for Riu Kiu Is". Japanese Journal of Ornithology. 17 (79–80): 219–222. doi: 10.3838/jjo1915.17.219 .
  17. 1 2 Mikula, Peter; Morelli, Federico; Lučan, Radek K.; Jones, Darryl N.; Tryjanowski, Piotr (2016). "Bats as prey of diurnal birds: a global perspective: Predation of bats by diurnal birds". Mammal Review. 46 (3): 160–174. doi:10.1111/mam.12060.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 Nagai, Kazuya; Manawatthana, Sontaya; Tokita, Ken-ichi; Nualsri, Chukiat; Pierce, Andrew J.; Sutasha, Kaset; Sribuarod, Kriangsak; Takehara, Kenji; Round, Philip D.; Higuchi, Hiroyoshi (2020). "Genetic structure in Japanese and Thai populations of the Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis". Zoological Science. 37 (3): 232–239. doi:10.2108/zs190104. ISSN   0289-0003. PMID   32549537.
  19. ↑ Sheldon, Frederick H.; Moyle, Robert G.; Kennard, Jody (2001). "Ornithology of Sabah: History, Gazetteer, Annotated Checklist, and Bibliography". Ornithological Monographs (52): iii–285. doi:10.2307/40166890. ISSN   0078-6594. JSTOR   40166890.
  20. 1 2 Hirano, Toshiaki (1999). "Displays of Japanese Lesser Sparrowhawks during Pre-laying Period". Japanese Journal of Ornithology. 48 (2): 157–160. doi: 10.3838/jjo.48.157 . ISSN   0913-400X.
  21. ↑ BirdLife International (2021). Accipiter gularis (Report). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22695585A198774300. doi: 10.2305/iucn.uk.2021-3.rlts.t22695585a198774300.en .
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