Post-fledging period and dispersal of young SparrowhawksAccipiter nisus

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Eight nestling Sparrowhawks in Northamptonshire were marked with radiotransmitters to determine fledging and dispersal dates and the distances and directions travelled away from the nest. One male left the nest at 26 days old and dispersed 28 days later. Females fledged at 28–30 days old and dispersed 25–27 days later. The birds moved in any direction away from their birthplace with a maximum distance ranging 4–22 km. Although born in coniferous forest, the birds spent most time in scrubland, deciduous woodland and farmland.