Chinese Sparrowhawk
Tachyspiza soloensis
赤腹鹰
Introduction
A bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Formerly placed in the genus Accipiter, it was transferred to the resurrected genus Tachyspiza in 2024 based on molecular phylogenetic evidence. The species breeds in Southeast China, Taiwan, Korea, and Siberia, wintering in Indonesia and the Philippines while passing through the rest of Southeast Asia. It inhabits forests, typically along edges. Notable for significant dietary shift between seasons: primarily frogs in breeding areas, cicadas in wintering grounds. Monotypic species with no recognized subspecies.
Description
Small raptor measuring 30-36 cm in length, with females noticeably larger than males. Adults display prominent black wing tips. Males exhibit grey upperparts, white underparts, and red eyes. Females show rufous coloration on breast and underwing coverts with yellow eyes. Juveniles feature grey faces, brown upperparts, yellow eyes, streaked underparts on the upper portion, barred thighs, less conspicuous black wing tips, and streaked underwings except for the coverts.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeding range encompasses Southeast China, Taiwan, Korea, and Siberia. Wintering occurs in Indonesia and the Philippines, with migration passing through remaining Southeast Asian regions. Primary habitat consists of forested areas, frequently found along forest edges. Migration sometimes occurs in small groups.
Behavior & Ecology
Exhibits seasonal dietary variation. During breeding season, diet consists mainly of frogs, supplemented by lizards, other small invertebrates, and occasionally small birds and mice. In wintering grounds, feeds extensively on cicadas.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Tachyspiza
- eBird Code
- grfhaw1
Distribution
breeds China and Korea; winters to southeastern Asia, Philippines, and Indonesia
Data Sources
CBR Notes: 由Accipiter属移入重新恢复的Tachyspiza属（Lerner & Mindell 2005；Mindell et al. 2018；Catanach et al.2024）。
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.