sparrow hawk

a small, short-winged European hawk, Accipiter nisus, that preys on smaller birds.

Origin of sparrow hawk

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

The sparrow-hawk, like the small falcons, requires small birds.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 |Various
In these larch and spruce-fir woods, many old nests of the Sparrow-hawk might be seen, the deserted tenements of years and years.

Among the Birds in Northern Shires |Charles Dixon
The Sparrow-hawk is a larger and fiercer bird, and the one that preys most frequently on chickens.

Mamma's Stories about Birds |Anonymous (AKA the author of "Chickseed without Chickweed")
When there was occasion to select a symbol, he effaced himself and chose the eagle; modesty of a sparrow-hawk!

Napoleon the Little |Victor Hugo

The sparrow-hawk is hooded, while the goshawk is not, being of a less excitable nature.

Jungle Folk |Douglas Dewar

sparrow hawk

a very small North American falcon, Falco sparverius, that is closely related to the kestrels