BetterBirding
Bird guideRed Goshawk

Experts now group the red goshawk with the superficially dissimilar black-breasted buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon and square-tailed kite Lophoictinia isura as one of the Australasian old endemic raptors .

Spot this speciesRead on Wikipedia
⚠️Endangered
🚫Sensitive species — location data may be restricted
🌿Endemic to Australia
🍃Indigenous: Rufous-Bellied Buzzard, Red Buzzard

At a glance

FamilyHawks, Eagles, and Kites
SizeGiant
RarityUncommon
HabitatExtremely rare and typically limited to tropical areas near river systems in northern Australia.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from July to September.

Sounds

Sound sample
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Recorded by Pieter de Groot Boersma

Range map

Range map

215visible hotspots
1084visible records
4states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

In flight note bulging trailing edge to wing. Tends to soar with wings back and head protruding. Extremely rare and typically limited to tropical areas near river systems in northern Australia. Please try to get a photo if you see one!

Behavior

When perched, the tail is longer than folded wings (Square-tailed Kite has wings extending below the tail).

Gallery

Regional timing

Northern Territory
Peak: July to October521 records
Queensland
Peak: July to September545 records
New South Wales
Peak: January to March6 records
Western Australia
Peak: June to July9 records

Commonly confused with

Square-tailed KiteLophoictinia isuraAdult has a pale head and reddish underparts with black streaks on neck. Juvenile has a more reddish head with less streaking. In flight, tail has obvious square corners with a dark band at the base. Occurs singly or in pairs. At a distance, and particularly when heavily worn, take care to identify juvenile birds from Black Kite, which has more uniformly patterned plumage.→Pacific BazaAviceda subcristataWhen perched it is easily distinguished from other species by small black crest on the back of gray head and enormous yellow eyes, prominent brown stripes on white belly. Often found in suburban areas. Crashes into foliage to snatch insect prey.→Brahminy KiteHaliastur indusJuveniles are a darker brownish-black with a paler head and prominent white patches under the wings.→
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