Grey Goshawk

In Tasmania, the Grey Goshawk is a large, pure white raptor, up to 55 cm long with a wingspan of up to 110 cm. Females are almost twice as heavy as males. The species nests in mature wet forest, usually in the vicinity of a watercourse. However birds can also be seen in more open woodland and around urban fringes. Most nests are located in the north and west of the State, but smaller breeding populations also occur in the south-east and north-east. They have big ranges, hunting from perches in the forest canopy and eating small mammals, birds and insects, and sometimes carrion. The Grey Goshawk is especially threatened by habitat loss, through reduction of mature wet forest - particularly blackwood swamps - by clearing for plantations or pasture. With a population currently estimated as less than 110 breeding pairs in Tasmania, the species is also at risk from deliberate shooting and accidents with powerlines, collision and poison. To assist with its recovery - retain mature native wet forest, forest along water courses and other connecting forest corridors; prevent disturbance within 100 m of an active nest; reduce the risk of birds coming into conflict with livestock and infrastructure.