Crested Goshawk is and Indian Bird bears the scientific name "Accipiter trivirgatus" is a bird of prey from tropical Asia.
Crested Goshawk is related to other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers, and thus placed in the family Accipitridae.
Structure of Crested Goshawk
Crested Goshawk has short broad wings and a long tail, both adaptations to manoeuvre through trees. It is 30-46 cm in length, with the female much larger than the male. The larger size and a short crest, clearly visible in profile, are the best distinctions from its relative, the besra.
Adults Crested Goshawk
The male Crested Goshawk has a dark brown crown, grey head sides and black moustachial and throat stripes. The pale under parts are patterned with rufous streaks on the breast and bars on the belly. The larger female has a browner head and brown under part streaks and bars. The juvenile has pale fringes to its head feathers, and the under part background colour is buff rather than white. The flight is a characteristic "slow flap, slow flap, straight glide", similar to other Accipiter species such as the northern goshawk.
Concentration of Crested Goshawk
Crested Goshawk breeds in southern Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to southern China, Indonesia and the Philippines. It is primarily a lowland bird, and an all-year resident. Even in upland habitat it is resident in winter, for example in the Himalayas foothills of Bhutan or in Sal forest in Dehradun district. In these lands at the northern end of its range, it is generally very rare however. Essentially it is limited to tropical and warm subtropical areas.
Prey of Crested Goshawk
Crested Goshawk hunts birds, mammals and reptiles in woodland, relying on surprise as it flies from a perch to catch its prey unaware. It builds a stick nest in a tree and lays two or three eggs.
