Sparrowhawks are specialist bird predators that have recovered from organochlorine pesticide-induced population crashes to become one of the most common garden raptors, raising complex welfare questions about predator-prey relationships.
Small birds killed by sparrowhawks in gardens may experience acute fear during the pursuit. However, sparrowhawk predation is rapid and efficient, causing less prolonged suffering than many alternatives. The welfare of individual prey birds must be weighed against the welfare and existence rights of sparrowhawks as native predators in natural ecosystems. Research consistently shows that sparrowhawks do not reduce garden bird populations at the level relevant to conservation.