Madagascar goshawk
| Madagascar goshawk | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematics | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Accipiter henstii | ||||||||||
| ( Schlegel , 1873) |
The Madagascar goshawk ( Accipiter henstii ) is endemic to Madagascar occurring bird of prey from the family of Accipitridae (Accipitridae), one of the larger species of this family.
The stock situation of Madagascar hawk is on the IUCN endangered with potentially ( near threatened ) specified. No subspecies are distinguished.
Appearance
The Madagascar goshawk reaches a body length of 52 to 62 centimeters, of which 24.4 to 25.8 centimeters is accounted for by the tail plumage in the male and an average of 28 centimeters in the female. The wings have a length of 27.6 to 28.3 centimeters in the males and 31.8 to 33 centimeters in the females. The wingspan is 86 to 100 centimeters. The weight of the males is around 600 grams, the females weigh between 960 and 1140 grams. The eyes of adult birds are yellow. The beak is yellow, the wax skin is greenish yellow. The legs and feet are yellow in both sexes. Aside from the size difference, there is no noticeable gender dimorphism .
Adult Madagascar goshawks are slate gray on the upper side of the body and white on the underside of the body with fine but noticeable transverse bands. The stripe above the eyes is only hinted at. Fledglings are pale brown on the top of their bodies.
Possible confusion
Madagascar hawks are similar to the Madagascar sparrow , which, however, is significantly smaller with a body length between 29 and 42 centimeters. The lizard hawk ( Accipiter francesiae ) is about the same size as the Madagascar sparrow , the underside of which is lighter and less sparrowed.
Distribution area and habitat
The Madagascar goshawk is found exclusively in Madagascar. It is absent inland, but inhabits the coastal regions in the east, north and west, while it is absent in the south. Its habitat is primarily the primary forest. It also occurs occasionally in the secondary forest and in savannah densely populated with trees. In these habitats, it is mainly found in forests along rivers. It needs habitats that have largely remained untouched.
The Madagascar goshawk is a resident bird in its entire range .
Way of life
The Madagascar goshawk also occurs in pairs outside of the breeding season. It is more common to see it circling high up in the air. Erected Madagascar goshawks, on the other hand, are usually hidden in the foliage and are therefore difficult to make out.
The food mainly consists of birds, but the Madagascar goshawk occasionally beats mammals such as lemurs . He also beats domestic poultry in the villages where he lives. During the hunt, he often sits motionless for a long time in a raised hide. However, he also hunts his prey in fast chases.
The breeding season falls from October to February. The nest is built high up in trees and made of large branches. The clutch consists of two eggs. Nothing is known about the breeding season and the nestling season.
literature
- J. Ferguson-Lees, DA Christie: Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London 2001, ISBN 0-7136-8026-1 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Handbook of the Birds of the World on the Madagascar Hawk accessed on June 10, 2017.
- ^ Ferguson-Lees & Christie: Raptors of the World. P. 595.
- ^ AC Kemp, GM Kirwan & DA Christie (2017). Madagascar Sparrowhawk (Accipiter madagascariensis). In: J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, DA Christie & E. de Juana (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (accessed at http://www.hbw.com/node/53075 on March 20, 2017).
- ^ A b Ferguson-Lees & Christie: Raptors of the World. P. 594.