sparrow hawk etymology

Etymology

The word "sparrowhawk" is derived from two Middle English words:

  • "sparwe" (sparrow)
  • "hauk" (hawk)

Meaning

A sparrowhawk is a small to medium-sized bird of prey that belongs to the genus Accipiter. It is characterized by its long, slender wings and tail, as well as its relatively short legs and hooked beak. Sparrowhawks typically hunt small birds and mammals, such as sparrows, mice, and voles.

Origin

The genus Accipiter is believed to have originated in the Old World, and the sparrowhawk is one of the most common species within this genus. It is found throughout Eurasia, North America, and Africa. The earliest known fossils of sparrowhawks date back to the Miocene epoch, around 23 million years ago.

sparrow hawk relate terms

  • hawk

    Etymology The word hawk comes from the Middle English word hauk which is ultimately

  • dove

    Dove comes from the Old English dofu and is from the same root as duve a kind of pige

  • sparrow

    Etymology The word sparrow comes from Old English sperewa which is derived from the

  • musket

    Etymology French mousquet Italian moschetto Meaning A smoothbore muzzle loading

  • buzzard

    Etymology The word buzzard is derived from the Middle English word busard which is

  • ostrich

    Etymology The word ostrich comes from Middle English ostriche which is derived from

  • reclaim

    Etymology Origin Middle English early 15th century from Anglo Norman French reclaime

  • lure

    Etymology The word lure comes from the Middle English word lure which in turn comes

  • Merlin

    Etymology The name Merlin is of Welsh origin and is thought to be derived from two poss

  • gyrfalcon

    Etymology The word gyrfalcon is derived from the Old Norse words gýr vulture an

  • disheveled

    Etymology Disheveled is derived from the following linguistic elements dis pre

  • scourge

    Etymology and Origin The word scourge comes from the Old French word escorgier mean