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.
Description The 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 The 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 This species nests in tall trees on a platform of sticks and leaves.
Feeding It eats small reptiles and insects.
References
BirdLife International. (2006). Species factsheet: Accipiter poliocephalus. Downloaded from https://www.birdlife.org on 9/12/2006 Coates, B.J. (1985), The Birds of Papua New Guinea, Vol. 1, Non-Passerines. Dove: Alderley, Queensland. Morcombe, Michael. (2000). Field Guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing: Queensland.