First Documented Sighting of Japanese Sparrowhawk in Mainland India

IN NEWS — First Documented Sighting of Japanese Sparrowhawk in Mainland India

The first evidential and photographed documentation of a Japanese sparrowhawk in mainland India has been recorded from the Adyar Estuary, Chennai on 7 November 2025.
The sighting was made by a member of the Madras Naturalists’ Society (MNS) and is supported with photographic evidence.

Breeds: East Asia
Winters: South East Asia
Known occasional visitor: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The new Chennai sighting extends the known wintering/visiting range to mainland India, making it significant for ornithology and ecological monitoring.

The Adyar Estuary is known for frequent unexpected avian sightings (hyperticks), making it one of the most important birding patches in Chennai.
It hosts a high diversity of migratory birds due to:
- Its productive estuarine ecosystem
- Proximity to coastal flyways
- Regular monitoring by an active birding community
The circular question arises:
- Does the estuary produce surprising sightings because birders visit frequently?
- Or do birders visit frequently because the estuary produces rare sightings?

Marks a range extension for the Japanese sparrowhawk into mainland India.
Adds an important record to Indian ornithology databases.
Highlights the ecological value of the Adyar Estuary, which continues to demonstrate its role as a hotspot for migratory birds.
Evidence-based sightings help in understanding:
- Shift in migration patterns
- Possible impacts of climate change
- Habitat changes across East–South Asian flyways

Relevant for Environment, Biodiversity, and Species Distribution topics in:

Scientific Name: Accipiter gularis
Family: Accipitridae
Habitat: Forest edges, open woodlands
Migration: Long-distance migrant between East Asia (breeding) and South-East Asia (wintering)
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Known Indian presence: Primarily Andaman & Nicobar Islands (rare visitor)