PLIGHT OF THE VULNERABLE GOSHAWK
THE red goshawk, a bird found in coastal areas of Queensland and across the Top End of Australia, has suffered a decline in its population largely due to the clearing of woodland to create farmland.
Once found as far south as Sydney, it no longer has populations in NSW, and in Queensland it is in population-decline as it loses its preferred coastal woodland and forest habitat.
It is now rare, with a population estimated as low as 1000 individuals, and officially classed as "vulnerable".
With a body length of over 50cm and a 1.4m wingspan, it is larger than the common Australian goshawk found around Geelong.
Like the other species, the red goshawk is an ambush hunter, preying on large birds, particularly parrots and doves which it hunts with a short, sharp attack. It is unlike the falcons that use speed in their pursuit of prey, or the kestrel and kites that can hover above suitable places where prey may be present.
Analysis of remains under nests show half of its food is made up of parrots, particularly lorikeets. Consequently its preferred habitat needs to be sufficiently open to allow for the sudden, sharp attack on its prey, yet with sufficient cover from which to launch its attack.
When breeding the pair builds a nest high in the tallest tree available, invariably within a kilometre of water.
The nest is made of sticks to form the main structure, and it is lined with some soft material and fresh eucalypt leaves. The same nest is used year after year, with the birds carrying out any necessary repairs.
The birds are slow to replenish their population with the female laying only one or two eggs each breeding season. Much sought by egg-collectors in the past, the eggs are pale bluish-white, occasionally smeared with reddish colour.
Fires and windstorms can also play havoc with the birds, destroying the nest before the young have fledged.