The collared sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza cirrocephala) is a small, slim bird of prey in the family Accipitridae found in Australia, New Guinea and nearby smaller islands.

[2] The collared sparrowhawk was formally described in 1817 by the French ornithologist Louis Vieillot based on a specimen that had been collected in "Nouvelle-Hollande", now the state of New South Wales in eastern Australia.

In 2024 a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of the Accipitridae confirmed earlier work that had shown that the genus was polyphyletic.

[9] Two subspecies are recognised:[8] The collared sparrowhawk is 29–38 cm (tail about half), with a wingspan 55–78 cm, the average male weighs 126 g, female 218 g.[10] They are small, fierce, finely built with rounded wings, long square tail, yellow eyes and long legs.

Juveniles have brown upper parts, with pale streaks on the head and nape, and fine rufous edges to the feathers of the back and wings.

[10] The collared sparrowhawk is widespread through mainland Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea and is found in all habitats except the driest deserts.

Sparrowhawks rely on stealth and surprise to catch their prey, hunting in flight or bursting from a concealed perch among foliage.

[10] Most prey weighs less than 100 g and sometimes over 200 g. It forages by short-stay perch hunting from a concealed position in foliage, punctuated by short tree-to-tree, often undulating flights.

It is thought that their loss of numbers is due to the use of DDT which has reduced the thickness of collared sparrowhawks' eggs by 2%,[13] and the increase of the pied currawong (Strepera graculina) a predator and competitor capable of robbing and injuring adults and killing nestlings.