Red Goshawk

1. Large raptor with reddish-brown plumage and strong dark streaking.

2. Pale, streaked head and massive yellow legs and feet.

3. Long, broad wings with fingered tips and a square-tipped tail.

Red Goshawks are apex predators that specialize in hunting medium to large birds, including parrots, pigeons, cockatoos, and kookaburras. They hunt by ambushing prey from concealed perches or by flying swiftly through or above the canopy. Their flight combines strong wingbeats with glides and occasional soaring. Red Goshawks build large stick nests high in tall trees, often near water, and typically lay one or two eggs per year. The female incubates the eggs and cares for the young, while the male provides most of the food. Young birds remain dependent on their parents for at least two to three months after fledging. Adults occupy vast territories, sometimes covering hundreds of square kilometers.

Red Goshawks are found in northern Australia, from the Kimberley in Western Australia across the Top End and Tiwi Islands to Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. They inhabit tall open woodlands and forests, particularly near permanent water sources such as rivers, lagoons, and wetlands. They are most likely to be seen soaring above the canopy, perched in tall trees, or flying along watercourses. The species is extremely rare and sparsely distributed, so any sighting is notable.