The grey-headed goshawk (Tachyspiza poliocephala) is a lightly built, medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.
| Grey-headed goshawk | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Tachyspiza |
| Species: | T. poliocephala
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| Binomial name | |
| Tachyspiza poliocephala (Gray, GR, 1858)
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Description
editThe upperparts are grey, paler on the head and neck; the wings are dark; the underparts are mainly white; the cere and legs are red-orange. The body is 30–38 cm long; females are larger than males. Juveniles have dark brown wings.
Distribution and habitat
editThe grey-headed goshawk is endemic to New Guinea and adjacent islands. It has been recorded from Saibai Island, Queensland, an Australian territory in the north-western Torres Strait. It lives in forests, forest edges and secondary growth.
Breeding
editThis species nests in tall trees on a platform of sticks and leaves.
Feeding
editIt eats small reptiles and insects.
References
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- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Accipiter poliocephalus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22695558A93515750. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695558A93515750.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- BirdLife International. (2006). Species factsheet: Accipiter poliocephalus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/12/2006
- Coates, B.J. (1985), The Birds of Papua New Guinea, Vol. 1, Non-Passerines. Dove: Alderley, Queensland. ISBN 0-9590257-0-7
- Morcombe, Michael. (2000). Field Guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing: Queensland. ISBN 1-876282-10-X
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