The Eurasian Sparrowhawk is found in every country of Europe except Iceland, in much of Asia and in parts of Africa, especially on migration. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

It feeds almost entirely on birds and requires cover from which to spring its surprise attacks as well as reasonably open flight paths.

The male has slate-gray upperparts, rufous cheeks and rufous barring on the breats and belly. The female is more brown-gray on the underparts.