Grey Goshawk (white morph)

Rare, secretive, sensational and staring into my bedroom window!

I have travelled far and wide across the range of this threatened species but it remained elusive… until one visited my property. I am thrilled that I managed to get photographs or I’d have been wondering if I’d dreamed it, and so would everyone else!

Imagine my amazement as I’m racing out of my bedroom (I’m pretty much always racing unless working with children or watching wildlife) when I see this spectacular bird sitting on a low branch of my apricot tree, just a couple of metres from my bedroom window. Thank goodness I look outside every chance I get or I could easily have missed it.

It is a young bird, from last year’s breeding season and less than one year old, as juveniles have yellowish irises while adults’ irises are deep red. There are two distinct forms of the species. The Grey Goshawk has grey upperparts, darker wingtips and areas of grey barring. The white morph is startlingly white which adds to the impact of its cere and powerful hooked bill.

I love the photograph above although it seems comically disrespectful to share such a magnificent bird in such a funny pose – I feel quite brave! Part of my bedroom window is reflected in its eye, along with some of my veranda railing. I can see myself in the reflection too. Photographing it was hilariously uncomfortable, my arms ached, my knees cursed the floorboards and my toes went to sleep. The goshawk was in an awkward spot to photograph, leaves were constantly blowing across its face and it was a challenge to find the right settings in the dappled sunlight. It was staking out a blackbird nest tucked away in a climbing Albertine rosebush – it didn’t realise the nest had been abandoned, probably due to the two pale blue eggs sitting cosily inside.

Grey Goshawks are powerful raptors that use their massive talons to strike their prey. Their legs and feet are the same bright orange-yellow as their cere. Part of one foot with its massive black talons can just be seen resting on the branch of the apricot tree. I will have other photographs to share another time, including one that clearly shows its legs and feet.

This truly magnificent species has been significantly impacted by development and disturbance and the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC 2003) has determined that the Grey Goshawk is:

• in a demonstrable state of decline which is likely to result in extinction;
• significantly prone to future threats which are likely to result in extinction;
• and very rare in terms of abundance and distribution.

Which makes it all the more remarkable that a species I have longed to see would turn up as though it was visiting for afternoon tea. Well, I guess it was visiting for afternoon tea!

This week’s third photograph is virtually uncropped. It may help to explain the trickiness of the dappled lighting and the presence of the leaves that had briefly blown away from its face.

I saw it again today, perched high in a Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata). As soon as it swooped away the smaller birds came out from hiding to forage more safely. I’m still smiling.

Happy birding, Kim

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