sparrow hawk

noun

: any of various small hawks: such as

a

: an Old World accipiter (Accipiter nisus) that is dark gray to blackish above with the female having a grayish-brown barred underside and the male having a chestnut barred underside

b

: kestrel sense b

Illustration of sparrow hawk

• sparrow hawk a

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, in the Netherlands, the Eurasian sparrow hawk has been late for dinner because its prey, the blue tit, has -- over 16 years -- arrived almost six days earlier than the hawk. —CBS News, 17 Apr. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sparrow hawk

noun

: any of various small hawks