The Crested Goshawk is uncommon local species in Taiwan. IUCN lists the Crested Goshawk as Least Concern, but Taiwan lists it as very rare. Although they are listed as very rare, in fact they can be easily seen in most big city parks in Taipei City. They often glide up high in the sky searching for preys. Occasionally they nosedive to attack other birds. I once saw a Crested Goshawk nosedive to attack a Malaysian Night Heron. The Malaysian Night Heron widely opened its wings and shouted out loud to resist the attack. The Crested Goshawk finally gave up the attack at the final moment. Every time when the Crested Goshawk arrives in Taipei Botanical Garden, the garden would instantly become silent totally, which is very different from the chirps and twitters of other birds during an ordinary day. When the Crested Goshawk arrives, other birds, except the Malaysian Night Herons and the Black-crowned Night Herons, would disappear. It seems that the size makes a difference.
Photographed on 5/26/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
At first, there are two baby birds. Photographed on 5/29/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
This one grows faster. Photographed on 6/1/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
This one grows slower. Photographed on 6/3/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
The faster one. Photographed on 6/3/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
The faster one is on the left and the slower one is on the right. Photographed on 6/6/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
The faster one already could jump up and down on the same tree as the nest. Photographed on 6/6/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
Birdwatching fans found the slower one would not eat anything its parent fed. It's a bad sign! Photographed on 6/6/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
This is either the father or the mother. Photographed on 6/6/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
Later some birdwatching fan witnessed the slower one dropping down on the ground from the high nest and rescued the wounded bird and sent it to National Taiwan University. I have had no news about the bird since then. Photographed on 6/7/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
The faster one already could fool around in the nearby trees. Photographed on 6/7/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
The wings of the faster one were full-grown already. Photographed on 6/15/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
Photographed on 6/15/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
Finally the faster one survived and extended its territory to the surrounding trees. Photographed on 6/23/2012 at CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City
| Chinese name: | 鳳頭蒼鷹 |
| English name: | Crested Goshawk |
| Nickname: | |
| Scientific name: | Accipiter trivirgatus |
| Order: | Falconiformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Species status: | Taiwan endemic subspecies |
| Conservation status: | IUCN lists it as Least Concern, but Taiwan lists it as "Class II - Rare and Valuable Species". |
| Migration status: | Taiwan local bird |
| Frequency of appearance: | Uncommon in Taiwan |
| Foods: | Birds, rats, lizards, insects |
| Habitat: | Woodlands |
| Altitude: | Low to Mid-altitudes |
| Behavior: | Appear alone in woods. Usually hide itself thoroughly in the woods and search for preys at sunrise, noon and late afternoon. Often hover in the sky. |
| Characteristics: | General Characteristics: About 41 to 48 cm long. Female is slightly larger than male. Bill is black. Bill and paws are sharp curves. Adult eye are golden or orange. Plumage is mainly mouse grey. Belly is white with horizontal dark-brown stripes. Feet are yellow. Wings will flap when flying. Summer Plumage: Winter Plumage: Similar species: |
| Breeding places: | Southeast Asia, Taiwan, etc. |
| Migration destinations: | |
| Time photographed: | 2011/4/1, 2012/6 |
| Location found: | CKS Memorial Hall, Taipei City |
| Sources: | Internet |
| Notes: |
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