Category Archives: Goshawk
Grey Goshawk in quiet contemplation
On a walk through the Australian forests near Sydney, I stopped on a rocky ledge to take in the view. Then I noticed a Grey Goshawk on a branch close by, also gazing out across the valley.
These beautiful birds of prey are quite sturdy, about 55 cm in length from head to tail, and have a wingspan of about one metre. Their chest and belly feathers are white with light grey horizontal bars. The head is grey, with large dark eyes outlined in yellow, and a yellow beak tipped in dark grey. Add the dark grey wings and tail feathers, and you have a very striking bird.
The goshawk was standing on one leg, with the other foot tucked under its belly feathers. The bird turned its head to see whether I posed it any danger, then went back to quiet contemplation of the view.
After five minutes or so, it hopped off the branch and glided away.
This is only the second time I’ve managed to snap some photos of a goshawk, though I’ve seen them a couple more times.
Common name: Grey Goshawk
Scientific name: Accipiter novaehollandiae
Approximate length: 40-55 cm. Wing span: 70-110 cm.
Date spotted: 4 August 2023 (winter)
Location: Manly Dam Reserve, New South Wales, Australia: 33°46’54.8″S 151°15’03.5″E
Grey Goshawk has soft plumage, big eyes, and fierce beak
Although Noisy Miners are a nuisance, they do lead me to plenty of interesting sights. This time they were complaining about this Grey Goshawk that was invading their territory:
The Grey Goshawk looks soft and fluffy, with its light grey and white plumage and large eyes. But it has a fierce beak and strong feet, fit for catching and eating its prey. Evidently it can catch birds as large as a heron.
The Noisy Miners chased the hawk from perch to perch as I watched. The next picture shows the bird at the moment that it decides to take flight. The branch above the hawk seems to be in just the wrong place for optimal wing deployment:
Each time it took flight, the Grey Goshawk uttered a series of short, high-pitched chirps that clashed with the shrieking of the Noisy Miners. Almost as if it was telling them off!
Wing deployment progressing despite unfortunate position of upper branch:
Wing deployment looking good, initiating detachment from lower branch:
The hawk took off and coasted through the tops of the trees. Soon after it disappeared from view, a group of cockatoos burst from the tree tops and circled the area, shrieking and shouting in alarm.
This was my first sighting of a Grey Goshawk. What a beautiful bird.
Common name: Grey Goshawk
Scientific name: Accipiter novaehollandiae
Approximate length: 40-55 cm. Wing span: 70-110 cm.
Date spotted: 24 February 2020 (summer)
Location: Manly Dam Reserve, New South Wales, Australia: 33°46’36.9″S 151°14’47.7″E
Sydney Birder 