Grey goshawk, Accipiter novaehollandiae
Grey Goshawk
(Photograph by Peter Tonelli)
The Grey Goshawk is a medium-sized bird of
prey (350-550mm). In Tasmania, the bird, despite its name, is all white. However, on the mainland, two colour forms occur - all white and grey. The legs and feet, and the cere (just behind the bill), are yellow. At a distance, the grey goshawk can be confused with the sulphur-crested cockatoo. Females are larger than males.
Grey Goshawks are listed as an endangered species in Tasmania.
Habitat
Occurs singluarly or in pairs in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and woodland.
Diet
Grey
Goshawks feed on birds, small mammals, reptiles and insects. It pursues its
prey in flight, striking with its powerful talons. They will ambush birds.
Breeding
The nest is large and built of sticks and lined with leaves high in a tree fork. Two to three eggs are laid. The same
nest is often used from year to year. The
female does most of the incubation, though the male relieves her when she
needs to feed. The male catches most of the food for the young.
Call
The call is a shrill, high-pitched chatter, and also a musical "kuik, kuik, kuik".