Levant sparrowhawk: Red Data Book of Armenia

Hawks and eagles — Accipitridae

Status. A poorly studied, nesting and migratory species of limited distribution. Listed in the Red Data Book of the former USSR. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Least Concern. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).

Distribution. The population is concentrated in Southeastern Europe, as well as in the Caucasus and the Middle East.

Distribution in Armenia. Southern and south–eastern areas.

Habitats. Forests, orchards, riversides and groves at 600–1200 m above sea level.

Biological traits. Preys in semi–deserts and orchards on lizards, orthopteran insects and small birds. The aerie is placed in a dry site on a river bank or in an orchard. Eggs (2–3, sometimes 4) are laid once a year.

Population size and its trends. Available information is insufficient to judge about the population size. Most recent records prove the existence of 20–25 nesting pairs in the Meghri district.

Major threats. Agricultural use of toxic chemicals, poaching.

Conservation measures. Nests are recorded in Khosrov Forest Reserve and Shikahogh Reserve. Listed in Appendix II of the CITES and in Appendix II of the Berne Convention. It is essential to strengthen anti–poaching activities, increase the rates of fines, control the use of chemicals in agriculture, enforce measures against raptor stuffing and sales of stuffed birds, develop and apply the methods of taxidermist licensing, and to strongly raise public awareness about these issues.