(Acipiter fasciatus)
Length: 45-55 cm Common
Distribution Australian mainland generally and Tasmania, also from Timor to New Guinea and New Caledonia. Also called Australian Goshawk, Grey-headed Goshawk and Chicken Hawk.
Singly and in pairs, frequenting heavily timbered districts, the margins of water courses and scrub. Dreaded by all the smaller birds, it procures its prey in sudden surprise attacks from cover. Their diet consists mainly of small birds. The female is considerably larger than the male. The call is a shrill chatter.
Breeding season is from September to January. Their nest is small and flat and is composed of sticks lined with leaves; placed among the topmost branches of a tree. Eggs: 2 to 4; bluish white, sometimes spotted and blotched reddish brown or lavender.
