Red goshawk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red goshawk |
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| A Red goshawk in Cape York Peninsula | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Erythrotriorchis
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| Species: |
radiatus
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The red goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus) is a very rare bird of prey found in Australia. It lives mostly in the open woodlands of northern Australia. You can often find them near rivers and streams. These powerful birds hunt and eat many different live animals, especially other birds.
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About the Red Goshawk
How Scientists Name Animals
The red goshawk was first described by an English bird expert, John Latham, in 1801. He gave it the scientific name Falco radiatus. Scientists use special names, called binomial names, to identify every living thing.
For a long time, people thought the red goshawk was a very big type of goshawk. But now, experts believe it's actually more closely related to other Australian birds. These include the black-breasted buzzard and the square-tailed kite. They are all part of a group called "old endemic raptors." This means their ancestors lived on the ancient continent of Gondwana. Over millions of years, they slowly changed into the birds we see today.
What Does a Red Goshawk Look Like?
Red goshawks have beautiful reddish-brown feathers. Their heads are streaked with black and white, with more white on their faces and throats. Their backs and upper wings are marked with black. The feathers on their wings and tail have grey bars.
Their bellies and the undersides of their wings are also reddish-brown. Female goshawks usually have lighter bellies than males. Young goshawks, called juveniles, have less streaking on their heads.
Adult red goshawks have yellow eyes, while young ones have brown eyes. Their beaks are strong, and their feet are large and yellow. Young birds have pale grey or cream-colored feet.
These birds have long, wide wings that spread out like fingers at the tips. Unlike other goshawks, their wings are not short. Their tails are long and wide, about half their total body length.
When they fly, they can be slow and steady, or fast and powerful. They often soar high in the sky with their wings slightly raised. They can also glide with flat wings or dive quickly with closed wings.
Red goshawks are about 45–60 centimeters (18–24 inches) long. Males weigh around 635 grams (1.4 pounds), and females are much heavier, weighing 1100–1400 grams (2.4–3.1 pounds). A female red goshawk is about the size of a whistling kite. A male is similar in size to a female brown falcon.
Where Do Red Goshawks Live?
Red goshawks are found across northern Australia. They prefer savanna woodlands, especially near rivers and streams.
Some important places for red goshawk conservation are identified by BirdLife International. These include Lilyvale in Far North Queensland, Kakadu Savanna and the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory, and Mornington Sanctuary in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Red Goshawk Life Cycle
Reproduction and Nests
Red goshawks build their nests high up in tall trees. They choose an exposed fork in a tree. Their nests are large platforms made of sticks, lined with green leaves. These nests can be 60–120 centimeters (24–47 inches) wide and 30–50 centimeters (12–20 inches) deep.
In the tropical north, they lay eggs from May to October. In the east, they lay eggs from August to October. The eggs hatch after about 40 days. The young birds stay in the nest for 51–53 days. After leaving the nest, they still depend on their parents for 2–3 months.
What Do Red Goshawks Eat?
Red goshawks mostly eat other birds, like parrots and pigeons. Sometimes, they also hunt small mammals, reptiles, and large insects.
They hunt in different ways. Early in the morning and late in the day, they hide on tree branches and wait for prey. In the middle of the day, they fly over the treetops or soar high in the sky to search for food. They attack by gliding quietly, chasing their prey directly, or diving from above.
Red Goshawk Conservation Status
The red goshawk is considered a vulnerable species in Australia. This means their numbers are decreasing, and they need protection. They are listed as endangered in Queensland and New South Wales. They are also listed as vulnerable in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
One of the biggest threats to red goshawks is the clearing of forests and woodlands. This happens when land is used for farming. Losing their habitat means they have fewer places to live, fewer animals to eat, and fewer suitable spots to build nests.
To help these birds survive, it's important to protect the remaining forests where they live. It's also important to help damaged habitats recover. Rules about land clearing are a key way to protect the red goshawk.
See also
In Spanish: Azor rojo para niños
