Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk Accipiter rhodogaster Scientific name definitions

26–33 cm (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); male 113 g, female 264 g (both juveniles) (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); wingspan 46–62 cm (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Small, vocal Accipiter with slate-black upperparts, short rounded wings and relatively short, square-ended tail (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), and is almost identical in adult plumage to sympatric A. nanus and longer-tailed (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) A. trinotatus, which has lead-grey upperparts and vinous-red underparts, but thighs grey. Present species largest and differs in having grey thighs, long and slender toes, larger bill and marked sexual dimorphism in size; also lacks white spots on barred uppertail. Female up to 35% larger (average 23%) and is browner black above with paler vinous underparts, and more grey mottling on throat, abdomen and thighs (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Bare parts: irides yellow, eyering yellow to lime-green, cere lime-green (yellowish in juvenile (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) ), bill blackish with lead-blue base and lime-green gape, legs yellow (duller in juvenile) (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Juvenile deep rufous above spotted and barred black-brown (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), with paler rufous tail (with 4–5 dark bands), blackish-brown crown and nape, latter with some white, and whitish or tawny-buff below with heavy dark streaking and dark throat stripe (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Racial variation slight, mainly in coloration of head, and possibly also in size: race butonensis has paler grey cheeks than nominate race, and is paler vinous below; and race sulaensis is perhaps smaller than others (wing of female 175–185 mm versus 194–214 mm in other races combined) with vinous-grey cheeks, faint vinous collar and less barring on tail (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). However, recent observations on Peleng indicate that not all individuals show the vinous-grey cheeks attributed to this taxon, which suggests either that this character is not displayed constantly by sulaensis or that birds on Peleng are better considered part of nominate rhodogaster (2 Rheindt, F.E. and Verbelen, F. (2011). First nest description of the Wallacean endemic Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk Accipiter rhodogaster, with notes on its vocalizations and intra-species taxonomy. Kukila. 15: 83–88. Close ).

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Possibly part of a species-group with A. erythrauchen, A. cirrocephalus and A. brachyurus. Validity of purportedly paler form butonensis has been questioned. Further, subspecific identity of Peleng population has been questioned, and suggested that it may belong with nominate (2 Rheindt, F.E. and Verbelen, F. (2011). First nest description of the Wallacean endemic Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk Accipiter rhodogaster, with notes on its vocalizations and intra-species taxonomy. Kukila. 15: 83–88. Close ); further study desirable. Three subspecies tentatively recognized.

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Primary and old secondary forest, from sea-level up to 2000 m; also mangroves, environs of forest villages (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ) and cultivated areas with some woodlands.

Apparently sedentary.

Stomach contents were insects, lizards, squirrels, mice and small passerines; structure suggests the species is mainly a bird-eater (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Hunting behaviour unreported.

Reportedly very vocal, including a rapidly delivered "hihihihihi..."  at a rate of 20 notes in 1·8 seconds and becoming more agitated in response to playback (2 Rheindt, F.E. and Verbelen, F. (2011). First nest description of the Wallacean endemic Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk Accipiter rhodogaster, with notes on its vocalizations and intra-species taxonomy. Kukila. 15: 83–88. Close ), which is said to be deeper and less piercing than A. nanus (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Virtually no information available, but an apparently active nest (stage unknown) attended by both adults on Peleng in late Mar/early Apr, was a rounded structure of dead twigs sited in the fork of a broadleaved tree at a height of c. 15 m (2 Rheindt, F.E. and Verbelen, F. (2011). First nest description of the Wallacean endemic Vinous-breasted Sparrowhawk Accipiter rhodogaster, with notes on its vocalizations and intra-species taxonomy. Kukila. 15: 83–88. Close ).

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. Widespread and apparently uncommon; perhaps commoner than thought and may be less dependent on undisturbed forest than other Accipiter on Sulawesi (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), but overlooked because of unobtrusive habits.