How Do You Spell SPARROW HAWK?

Pronunciation: [spˈaɹə͡ʊ hˈɔːk] (IPA)

The term "sparrow hawk" is often spelled as two separate words, but it can also be written as a compound word: "sparrowhawk." The phonetic transcription (IPA) can help explain that the "ow" in "sparrow" is pronounced like the "ow" in "cow," while the "u" in "hawk" is pronounced like the vowel sound in "foot." Together, the two words create a unique sound that is distinct from either word on its own. "Sparrowhawk" is a common name for a small bird of prey found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere.

SPARROW HAWK Meaning and Definition

1. A sparrow hawk, scientifically classified as Accipiter nisus, is a small to medium-sized bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family. Also known by its common name, the Eurasian sparrowhawk, this species is widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and western parts of Africa. The term "sparrow hawk" is often interchangeably used to refer to this species.

   Typically measuring around 28–38 cm (11–15 inches) in length with a wingspan of approximately 55–70 cm (21.5–27.5 inches), the sparrow hawk displays notable sexual dimorphism. Males tend to be smaller and more agile than females, which allows them to pursue their primary prey, small birds, with greater dexterity. This bird exhibits a distinct, streamlined silhouette, characterized by short, broad wings and a long, rounded tail.

   Sparrow hawks are ambush predators that employ their remarkable agility and speed to swoop down on their unsuspecting prey from concealed perches. With a burst of incredible acceleration, they maneuver skillfully through dense vegetation to surprise their target. Renowned for their aerial hunting prowess, these hawks primarily feed on small birds but may also consume other small mammals, insects, and occasionally reptiles.

   The sparrow hawk is characterized by its finely barred or streaked plumage, displaying shades of gray or brown on the upperparts and a paler, streaked underbelly. Females typically exhibit a more distinct brown coloration and vertical streaking on the underparts, while males present a bluer hue on the upperparts and a reddish-barred breast.

   Due to their adaptability and prevalence across diverse habitats, from forests to urban areas, sparrow hawks have successfully established themselves

2. A small species of short-winged hawk.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SPARROW HAWK *

• sparrowhawk 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SPARROW HAWK

• aparrow hawk
• zparrow hawk
• xparrow hawk
• dparrow hawk
• eparrow hawk
• wparrow hawk
• soarrow hawk
• slarrow hawk
• s-arrow hawk
• s0arrow hawk
• spzrrow hawk
• spsrrow hawk
• spwrrow hawk
• spqrrow hawk
• spaerow hawk
• spadrow hawk
• spafrow hawk
• spatrow hawk

Etymology of SPARROW HAWK

The word "sparrow hawk" is a compound term that combines two different words: "sparrow" and "hawk".

1. "Sparrow" derives from the Old English word "spearwa", which referred to the small bird known as a sparrow. This word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "sparwan" and the Proto-Indo-European root word "sp(e)ḷ-".

2. "Hawk" comes from the Middle English word "hauk", which derives from the Old English word "hafoc". This word itself has Old Norse roots in the word "haukr". The Proto-Germanic root word is believed to be "habukaz", and it also has connections to the Proto-Indo-European root word "kap-", meaning "to grasp" or "to seize".

Similar spelling words for SPARROW HAWK

• spirochaete,
• spirochaeta.