Madagascar snake goshawk

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Madagascar snake goshawk
EutriorchisAsturKeulemans.jpg

Madagascar goshawk ( Eutriorchis astur )

Systematics
Order : Birds of prey (Accipitriformes)
Family : Hawk species (Accipitridae)
Subfamily : Gypaetinae
Genre : Snake hawk
Type : Madagascar snake goshawk
Scientific name of the  genus
Eutriorchis
Sharpe , 1875
Scientific name of the  species
Eutriorchis astur
Sharpe , 1875

The Madagascar snake goshawk ( Eutriorchis astur ) or snake goshawk is a bird of prey from the hawk-like family and the only member of the genus Eutriorchis . It is endemic to the rainforests in north-eastern Madagascar , where it is mainly found at altitudes of 400 to 1000 m. The species had been lost since 1930 and was considered extinct, but was rediscovered in 1990. Contrary to its name, it mainly feeds on lizards and amphibians.

description

The Madagascar hawk is similar in shape and color to a large representative of the hawks and sparrowhawks (genus Accipiter ). It reaches a body length of 57 to 66 cm. The wingspan is 98 to 110 cm. An inconspicuous, foldable hood adorns the head. The gray-brown upper side shows a dark banding, which is particularly noticeable on the shoulders. The underside is white and also shows a dense, dark transverse banding. The long, brown, rounded tail has five to seven black transverse bands. The iris is yellow. The legs are light yellow and appear rough and knotty due to the very strong scales. The beak is black. The wings are relatively short and rounded.

Vocalizations

In contrast to the other, very hidden way of life, the calls are very conspicuous and typical. The "singing" is a loud, far-reaching "wääh ... wääh..waäh", often followed by a quieter "uug".

distribution and habitat

The species is endemic to northeast Madagascar. It lives there in untouched rainforests at 0 to 1200 m above sea level, probably especially at altitudes of 400 to 1000 m. The total range of the species is estimated at only 16,600 km².

nutrition

His name probably goes back to old stories in which he is said to have killed large, poisonous snakes. The name is rather inappropriate, however, snakes seem to play only a very subordinate role in the prey spectrum. In the only brood observed so far, 83 percent of the prey was chameleons and geckos , and another 16 percent were frogs. Only 2 snakes were fed, plus a bat. Reports of the capture of lemurs and chickens are most likely based on confusion with the Madagascar goshawk ( Accipiter henstii ), which occurs in the same habitat and which it is very similar to.

Reproduction

The only nest that has been found was in an epiphytic growing fern on a tree about 20 meters high. There was an incubated egg in the nest, and the young bird hatched on November 21st after a breeding period of about 40 days. The nestling period was 62 days and the young bird was looked after by both parents until it was 6 weeks old.

Rediscovery and endangerment

Up until the beginning of the 1990s, the species was only known from 10 specimens collected between 1874 and 1930 and has since been considered lost and probably extinct. In 1990 a fresh hawk carcass was found in the Ambatovaky reservation . In 1997 the only finding of a nest to date was successful. The Madagascar hawk is evidently very shy and cautious and therefore very easy to overlook. The best way to prove this is through the distinctive calls. From 1993 to 1998 15 individuals were observed at 9 different locations. It occurs in the following protected areas: Ambatovaky Special Reserve, Anjanaharibe-South Special Reserve, Mantadia National Park and Analamazaotra Special Reserve, Marojejy National Park, Marotandrano Special Reserve, Masoala National Park , Sihanaka Forest, Tsaratanana Strict Nature Reserve, Upper Rantabe Classified Forest and Zahamena National Park .

The population is currently estimated at 250 to 1000 individuals. The main threats are persecution, forest destruction through slash and burn and uncontrolled forest fires to reclaim arable land. If the clearing of the pristine forests in north-eastern Madagascar continues, this species can be expected to disappear again within a few decades.

literature

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