What is the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk?

The rufous-breasted sparrowhawk (Accipiter rufiventris), also known as the rufous-chested sparrowhawk and as the red-breasted sparrowhawk, is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Go Birding

Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk

Accipiter rufiventris

The rufous-breasted sparrowhawk (Accipiter rufiventris), also known as the rufous-chested sparrowhawk and as the red-breasted sparrowhawk, is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordRufous-chested Sparrowhawk3 stays list it on site or nearby

Species insights▾

When to visit

Recorded year-round

Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.

Best monthsAny month

Records292 records

Curve from 292 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.

Where you'll find it

Western Cape

Provinces where Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

Western Cape

90%

292 records, iNaturalist

Parks where hosts record the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk

2 places
Amakhala Game ReserveEastern Cape · Year-round
2 places

Places to stay

3 results in South Africa

Barry House on Riverton

Robertson

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 158 birds recorded · Horse riding, Canoeing

From R 1,155 per night

Hlosi Game Lodge

Amakhala Game Reserve, Addo

Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 23 birds recorded · Lion, Spekboom · Safaris, Scenic drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 4,000 per night

Bukela Game Lodge

Amakhala Game Reserve, Addo

Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 23 birds recorded · Giraffe, Cheetah · Safaris, Wildlife viewing

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

Price on request

More stays nearby

Babylonstoren

Klapmuts, Simondium

12 birds recorded · Angulate tortoise, Wild olive · Spa, Vineyards

Price on request

Tanda Tula Safari Camp

Limpopo

Savanna biome · 27 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard · Guided walk, Game drives

Price on request

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge

Hluhluwe

Savanna biome · 285 birds recorded · African wild dog, Spotted hyena · Game drives

Price on request

Thonga Beach Lodge

Manguzi

Forest biome · 60 birds recorded · Humpback whale, Southern right whale · Canoeing, Snorkelling

Price on request

La Clé Lodge & Villas

Franschhoek

Fynbos biome · Cycling

Price on request

Coot Club

Stanford

Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 8 birds recorded · White milkwood, Southern right whale · Whale watching, Canoeing

Price on request

Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point

Hazyview

Savanna biome · 1 bird recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Price on request

Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel & Spa

Somerset West

Fynbos biome · 1 bird recorded · Vineyards, Wine tasting

Price on request

Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse

Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West

Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 26 birds recorded · Black wildebeest, Bontebok · Horse riding, Hiking

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 5,636 per night

Maninghi Lodge

Hoedspruit

Savanna biome · 8 birds recorded · Giraffe, African elephant · Game drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

Price on request

Rhino Sands Safari Camp

Hazyview

Savanna biome · 30 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Supports Zululand Conservation Trust

From R 22,680 per night

Franschhoek Country House & Villas

Franschhoek

Fynbos biome · 1 bird recorded · Spa, Mountain biking

Supports Cape Leopard Trust

From R 6,195 per night

Tintswalo at Boulders

Simon's Town, Cape Town

Fynbos biome · 1 bird recorded · Surfing, Scenic drives

Supports Friends of Table Mountain

From R 4,060 per night

Singita Ebony Lodge

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome · 42 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Singita Boulders Lodge

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome · 43 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Singita Lebombo Villa

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome

Price on request

Singita Sweni Lodge

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome · 53 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Singita Castleton

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome · Yoga

Price on request

Singita Ebony Villa

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome

Price on request

Singita Lebombo Lodge

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome · 50 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Kwandwe Melton Manor

Eastern Cape

Albany Thicket biome · 207 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Plan a trip around these stays

Planning a trip

When and where to find the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk

Hosts have recorded the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk at stays in or beside Amakhala Game Reserve.

Best hours of the day

Late morning to mid-afternoon. Raptors soar once the sun raises thermals.
Early morning. Often perched while the air warms.

Ways to look

Guided drives from a lodge

A guide who knows where to look, with off-road and night drives in the private reserves.

Where hosts record it

Amakhala

Species

Accipiter rufiventris

Records

292

iNaturalist observations

Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.

Questions travellers ask

A record means a host has seen the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.

Which parks and reserves are best for the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk in South Africa?

Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk at stays in or beside Amakhala Game Reserve. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.

Where can you see the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk in South Africa?

The Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk is most recorded in Western Cape (90% of records), based on 292 iNaturalist observations. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk?

The Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Amakhala Game Reserve: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.