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A common, mid-sized raptor of forest edge in the lowlands and foothills.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyHawks, Eagles, and Kites
SizeGiant
RarityRare
HabitatOpen country, coast, woodland edge, river corridors, and thermal-rich skies over fields or ridgelines.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from February.
Range map
Range map
1visible hotspots
1visible records
0states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
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
Three distinct color morphs occur. The common one has slate-gray above and rufous below, plus all gray and all white morphs. Scans for prey from a perch. Similar to Collared Sparrowhawk and Brown Goshawk, but Variable is larger and lack any rufous collar.
Behavior
A common, mid-sized raptor of forest edge in the lowlands and foothills.
Gallery