The first occurrence of Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes (Severtzov, 1850) in Malta

Abstract

Whilst monitoring the annual autumn raptor migration at Buskett at around 14.30 CET on 27 September 2016, the author spotted a sparrowhawk at moderate height coming over Buskett against the NE wind. The author immediately noted that the bird had features pointing towards Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes due to shape of the wings, which had pointed wing-tips rather than rounded as in Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. The bird also had a boldly streaked breast and dark wing-tips (fingers), and at this point called the attention of local birdwatcher Raymond Galea to observe it. Unfortunately the bird immediately stooped and alighted in the Verdala Palace grounds and therefore at this stage, due to only watching it for a few seconds and in unfavourable conditions (as bird was flying away), the identification of the bird was not confirmed.