The Shortwings
This is the true accipters. Shortwings are true woodland hunters and very quick over short distances. They will tackle almost any suitable quarry Most usually these would be the goshawk and sparrowhawk. There speed of reflexes and metabolic rate is phenomenal. Their quick temperament is a characteristic. Some falconers consider shortwings a bit “crazy” and they test your patience and skill, but their reward in the field is superior. They will reach their hunting weight long before obedience. Obedience is a bigger challenge than entering them. They take quarry in the air and on the ground and sometimes still-hunt from a perch.
In South Africa we are blessed with biggest sparrowhawk in the world namely the Black Sparrowhawk. Foreign falconers envy these birds and regard them highly.
