Reproduction Undergoes courtship by flying very high above the nesting area and calling, and mating often occurs after the male presents the female with an offer of food. Nests are platforms built from small sticks 6-18m above the ground, and are built by snapping off sticks in flight with their talons or by breaking them with their beak. A new nest is usually built each year, though often very close to the previous nesting site. Two to four eggs are laid in September and October, and are white with red-brown blotches that coalesce in a cap. Incubation is undergone primarily by the female, while the male fetches food, which is given to her in a nearby tree. References Ferguson-Lees, James and David A. Christie (2001) Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London. pp. 578–581. Images from African Bird Club External links (Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk = ) Red-breasted Sparrowhawk - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds rufous-breasted sparrowhawk Birds of prey of Sub-Saharan Africa rufous-breasted sparrowhawk Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Taxa named by Andrew Smith (zoologist)