Grey-headed Goshawk

Tachyspiza poliocephala (Gray, GR, 1858)

Grey-headed Goshawk, Tachyspiza poliocephala, is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae and breeds in New Guinea, Raja Ampat, the Aru Islands, Yapen, the D’Entrecasteaux Islands and the Louisiade Archipelago. It is a lightly built, medium-sized species. Its plumage is grey above, with a paler head and neck, dark wings and mostly white underparts. The cere and legs are red-orange. Young birds have dark brown wings. It nests in tall trees on a platform made from sticks and leaves, and feeds on small reptiles and insects.

Order

Accipitriformes

Family

Accipitridae — Kites, Hawks, Eagles

Breeding range

Australasia: Raja Ampat Is. (nw of New Guinea), Aru Is. (sw of New Guinea), Yapen (Geelvink Bay is., nw New Guinea), New Guinea, D'Entrecasteaux and Louisiade Arch. (e of se New Guinea)