The little sparrowhawk (Tachyspiza minulla) is a species of Afrotropical bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.

Levaillant had collected his specimens near the Gamtoos River in the province of Eastern Cape in South Africa.

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

The genus Tachyspiza was resurrected to accommodate the little sparrowhawk together with 26 other species that had previously been placed in Accipiter.

It is sexually dimorphic and the male has dark grey upperparts, which can appear almost black, this colour extending on to the cheeks to contrast with the white throat.

The female takes most of the responsibility of building the nest constructing a small stick platform which has a thin lining of green leaves.

She typically places the nest in the main fork of a tree, favouring alien species, such as Eucalyptus, poplars, jacaranda and weeping willow.

[11] The little sparrowhawk is a bird hunter, waiting in cover the pursuing prey in a short dash and capturing it in flight.