Small bird of prey (about 37 cm or 14.5 in) with an also small wingspan (about 77 cm or 30.5 in). Males with intense greyish upperparts and head, pale underparts with transverse barring and reddish tones in the cheeks and flanks. Larger females with greyish brown tones on the back and head; white underparts and transversely barred. Both sexes with a very marked white eyebrow. Short, rounded wings and a very long tail.
Woodland environment
Woodland species that can be present both in pine forests and in masses of oak groves or meadows. In winter, it also frequents more open areas and even farmlands.
Species resident all year round in the province. It breeds from May. Nest in trees. One annual laying of 3 to 7 eggs. Specialist in the capture and consumption of small forest birds, such as Great and Eurasian blue tits or goldcrests. Females can catch larger prey, such as thrushes, blackbirds or pigeons.
Frequent bird in the province and that can be observed in the majority of mountains and forests of Malaga. For example, in the mountains of Alcaparaín, Ortegícar, Aguas or in the Montes de Málaga. In the Great Path it is present in stages 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31 and 33.
The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is a species adapted to hunt very small prey among trees. Its short and rounded wings and its long tail help it maneuver between the branches and the thickets at high speed and with acceleration capacity. The Spanish word for this bird, “gavilán”, seems to derive from the gothic "gabila" or "gabala", name with which the pitchforks of the peasants were known in the Middle Ages, similar to the claws of the sparrowhawk. The Latin term “nisus” refers to the "esparaván", synonymous with the sparrowhawk in Greek mythology. King Nisos was transformed into this bird after a mishap with his daughter and a suitor.
- Altos de Hondonero
- Arroyo de la Ventilla
- El Alcázar - La Maroma
- El Cerro de Santi Petri
- El Torcal
- Fuente de los 100 Caños
- Fuente del Acebuche
- Genal and Guadiaro rivers junction
- Genil River banks
- GR 249. Stage 09: Periana - Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto)
- GR 249. Stage 05: Nerja - Frigiliana
- GR 249. Stage 06: Frigiliana - Cómpeta
- GR 249. Stage 07: Cómpeta - Canillas de Aceituno
- GR 249. Stage 10: Alfarnatejo (Pulgarín Alto) - Alfarnate
- GR 249. Stage 11: Alfarnate - Villanueva del Rosario
- GR 249. Stage 12: Villanueva del Rosario - Archidona
- GR 249. Stage 20: Embalses del Guadalhorce - Estación de El Chorro
- GR 249. Stage 22: Ardales - El Burgo
- GR 249. Stage 23: El Burgo - Ronda
- GR 249. Stage 24: Ronda - Estación de Benaoján
- GR 249. Stage 25: Estación de Benaoján - Jimera de Líbar
- GR 249. Stage 26: Jimera de Líbar - Benalauría
- GR 249. Stage 27: Benalauría - Genalguacil
- GR 249. Stage 28: Genalguacil - Casares
- GR 249. Stage 29: Casares - Estepona
- GR 249. Stage 31: Marbella - Ojén
- GR 249. Stage 32: Ojén - Mijas
- GR 249. Stage 33: Mijas - Benalmádena
- GR 249. Stage 34: Benalmádena - Alhaurín de la Torre
- Hoz de Marín
- Llanos de Líbar
- Mirador de Gaitanejo
- Mirador del Tajo de la Caína
- Monte de San Antón (Málaga)
- Montes de Malaga Natural Park
- Quejigales - Puerto de Los Pilones
- Refugio de Juanar
- Río Guadalmina
- The Mouth of Rio Velez
- Valley of Genal River
- Valley of the Guadalhorce River
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
