Brown Goshawk 

The Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus meaning a 'banded hawk' is also called the Australian Goshawk. It has a grey head with bright yellow eyes and a black bill and a rufous (brownish red) collar around its neck. The upper body, top of tail and wings are dark brown to slate-grey. The underparts are rufous striped. The tail is long, as are the yellow legs. Adult males grow to 45 cm and females up to 55 cm.

Inhabits most of Australia, where ever there are trees, water and food. Adults live in pairs and have permanent territories, but the young wander widely. Brown Goshawks may be found from desert water holes to scrub and ash forest and from mountain ranges to timbered foothills, as in Dandenong Valley Park.

The diet is mainly small mammals and birds, reptiles and large insects. They usually attack prey on the ground and if available the Brown Goshawk will also eat rabbits, pigeons and poultry.

The nesting season ranges from Spring to early Summer and the nest is a rough platform of sticks and twigs, lined with green eucalyptus leaves, high in a tree. It may be refurbished and used again in subsequent seasons. The usual clutch of two or three eggs incubates after 35 days. The young fledge after another 5 weeks in the nest. The female undertakes incubation and most of the care of the young, assisted by the male who regularly brings food to the vicinity of the nest.