Henst's goshawk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henst's goshawk |
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Accipiter
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| Species: |
henstii
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The Henst's goshawk (Accipiter henstii) is a type of bird of prey found only on the island of Madagascar. It is a large bird that hunts during the day. This goshawk needs forests to live and is rarely seen. It lives in both old, untouched forests and forests that are growing back. You can find it in different kinds of forests, like dry or wet tropical forests, mountain forests, and even some tree farms.
Sadly, the Henst's goshawk is in danger because its forest home in Madagascar is shrinking.
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About the Henst's Goshawk
The Henst's goshawk is a big bird of prey that lives in forests. It is about 52 to 62 cm (20 to 24 in) long. Its wings can spread out between 86 and 100 cm (34 and 39 in). There is a clear size difference between males and females. Males usually weigh about 609 g (1.343 lb), while the larger females weigh between 960 to 1,140 g (2.12 to 2.51 lb). It is one of the biggest goshawks in the world.
Most of its body is a dark brownish-grey color. Its belly and chest are lighter with a striped pattern. Young goshawks look different, with large brown spots on their chest and belly. A special feature is a light line above its eyes, which stands out against its dark head. Its eyes and long legs are yellow.
When it flies, you can see its rounded wings and long, striped tail. A light patch on its lower back can also help you spot it in the air.
Spotting the Henst's Goshawk
The Henst's goshawk can sometimes be mistaken for another bird in Madagascar, the Madagascar serpent eagle (Eutriorchis astur). But there are a few ways to tell them apart. The Henst's goshawk is much bigger. Also, the stripes on its chest are much clearer than those on the Madagascar serpent eagle, which has fainter patterns.
Henst's Goshawk Family Tree
The Henst's goshawk belongs to a group of birds called Accipiter. This group includes many goshawks and sparrowhawks. These birds have a special bone structure. The Accipiter group is part of the Accipitridae family, which includes most birds of prey that hunt during the day.
A German bird expert named Hermann Schlegel first described this species in 1873. He worked at a museum in the Netherlands.
There are two other Accipiter birds in Madagascar: the Frances's sparrowhawk (Accipiter francesii) and the Madagascar sparrowhawk (Accipiter madagascariensis). Both of these are smaller than the Henst's goshawk.
Where Henst's Goshawks Live
Henst's goshawks live in specific areas of Madagascar because they need certain types of forests. They prefer primary rainforests (old, untouched forests) and sometimes secondary woodlands (forests growing back). These forests are mostly found in the North, West, and East parts of the island. The southern part of Madagascar has drier forests that are not suitable for these birds. So, the goshawk's home matches where these forests are.
Since the Henst's goshawk needs forests to survive, it faces a challenge. Its forest homes are quickly disappearing due to human activities. However, these birds have been seen in Eucalyptus tree farms, which might help them when their natural homes are lost.
Even within its range, the Henst's goshawk is rare and not found in large numbers. It lives in all non-dry forests. Its estimated home range is about 673,000 square kilometers. It can be found from sea level up to 1,800 meters high. As a top predator, it needs a large area to hunt, which explains why there aren't many of them in one place.
Henst's Goshawk Behavior
This goshawk usually hunts from a hidden spot in the forest. It rarely flies high above the trees.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Henst's goshawks form pairs for breeding. They are "socially monogamous," meaning they stay together to raise their chicks. However, they might mate with other birds on the side. Not much is known about their courtship, but they have been seen doing special aerial displays with sharp turns, followed by a unique breeding call.
Eggs are laid in October and November. They prefer to build nests in tall forests near water. Both male and female goshawks help build large, strong nests in the main forks of trees. They might also build nests in the Eucalyptus tree farms. Only one nest has been observed with two eggs, measuring about 57.0 x 41.2 mm and 60.0 x 42.7 mm.
Henst's goshawks often reuse their old nests or build new ones very close by. This is probably because they need specific places to nest, like old forests near water.
Nest Dangers
Even though Henst's goshawks are top predators, their nests can be attacked. Sometimes, the female goshawk leaves the nest alone for long periods. The male only feeds the chicks now and then. This leaves the chicks open to predators like Harrier-hawks. Harrier-hawks have been seen killing and eating chicks from unattended nests.
What Henst's Goshawks Eat
Henst's goshawks are skilled forest hunters. They mainly eat medium to large birds and mammals. With their sharp eyesight, strong curved talons, and hooked beak, they are excellent predators. They hunt from a hidden tree branch or by flying low through the forest. They do not leave the forest canopy when they are hunting.
Their favorite prey includes lemurs and chickens found in the forest. By hunting lemurs, Henst's goshawks play an important role in the Madagascan food web. They hunt many types of lemurs, from small ones weighing 100 grams to larger ones weighing 4 kilograms. This helps keep the lemur population healthy by reducing the number of sick or old individuals.
Henst's Goshawk Calls
Their main call is a loud, crackling, and fast "ang-ang-ang-ang...". You can hear these calls echoing through the trees when they fly. However, these calls are rare because the Henst's goshawk is a very secretive bird.
During the breeding season, the goshawk can be very loud. They make a quick series of "keey-keey-keey" sounds to talk to possible mates.
Protecting Henst's Goshawks
In 2016, Birdlife International listed the Henst's goshawk as a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered. There are only an estimated 1,000 to 2,250 individuals left, with about 670 to 1,500 breeding adults. This number is believed to be going down because of deforestation and human activity.
It is hard to count these birds accurately because they are spread out and hard to find. A more detailed study might show that they are even more at risk.
Henst's goshawks live in several protected areas in Madagascar, like the Ranomafana National Park and the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve. The government of Madagascar has promised to do more to protect the island's unique wildlife.
