Small, dark-eyed hawk of woodland, scrub, riparian corridors, and wooded plains and slopes. Note the adult's grayish upperparts and orange-barred underparts; females are larger and darker than males, with a dark central throat stripe. When in flight, note contrast between pale underwings and dark wingtips. Juveniles are brown above and striped below. Compared to the slightly larger Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Levant is neater-looking and more falcon-like, with more pointed wings. Also compare with very similar Shikra and various African sparrowhawks in its wintering range. Strongly migratory; often migrates in huge, tight flocks. Feeds on birds, which it catches in rapid low flight.