Madagascar sparrowhawk

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Madagascar sparrowhawk
Madagascar Sparrowhawk - Andasibe - Madagascar S4E7858 (15102515088).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Accipiter
Species:
A. madagascariensis
Binomial name
Accipiter madagascariensis

The Madagascar sparrowhawk (Accipiter madagascariensis) is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.

Contents

It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, dry savanna, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

It is threatened by habitat loss.

It may form a superspecies with Eurasian sparrowhawk (A. nisus) and rufous-chested sparrowhawk (A. rufiventris) (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001).

Population and Habitat

The Madagascar Sparrowhawk inhabits Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. These Islands are almost 300 miles away from Madagascar over open ocean.

It is suspected that there is between 3300 and 6700 mature Madagascar Sparrowhawks in the wild. It was classified as near threatened in August 2018 by the IUCN. [2]

They can be found at altitudes from sea level up to 1500 meters, but typically stay under 1000 meters. [3] Their habitats consist of rainforests in the East, deciduous forests in the west, and spiny forests in the southwest.

Diet and Foraging

The Madagascar Sparrowhawk eats other small birds which makes up 97% of their prey. Common avian prey includes the Madagascar Black Bulbul, the Madagascar Partridge, and the Madagascar Turtle-Dove. Other prey includes insects, frogs and some reptiles. The Madagascar Sparrow Hawk hunts by concealing themselves in low perches in the forest and pursuing prey in flight. [3]

Reproduction and Development

The female Madagascar Sparrowhawk typically lays three eggs each breeding season in the months of October and November. Eggs are incubated by the female for a period of around 35 days. Nests are sometimes reused over several seasons. [4]

After the eggs hatch the young develop quickly. They will develop to leave the nest at an average of 37 days and become independent of their parents at around 60–67 days. [4] Their life spans can range to 7 years, and they aren’t migratory birds. [4]

Subspecies and description

The Comoro Islands have/had 3 distinct subspecies of the Madagascar Sparrowhawk: The Anjouan sparrowhawk, the Mayotte sparrowhawk, and the Sensu Palmer Sparrowhawk. The most notable difference between the Madagascar Sparrowhawks and its distinct subspecies is the difference in color patterns between males and females.

Male Madagascar Sparrowhawks have blue/grey stomachs, wings, and backsides with slight hints of orange around their chest, while females have brown/black chests and wings. [3] But the male and female subspecies Madagascar Sparrowhawks have unusual patterns, that unmistakably make them different. [5]

The Sensu Palmer Sparrowhawk has been declared extinct since 1972.

Threats

The Madagascar Sparrowhawk is threatened by habitat loss as a result of logging and wood harvesting. [2] The number of Madagascar Sparrowhawks is decreasing as of 2023. [2]

Related Research Articles

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The Eurasian sparrowhawk, also known as the northern sparrowhawk or simply the sparrowhawk, is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Adult male Eurasian sparrowhawks have bluish grey upperparts and orange-barred underparts; females and juveniles are brown above with brown barring below. The female is up to 25% larger than the male – one of the greatest size differences between the sexes in any bird species. Though it is a predator which specialises in catching woodland birds, the Eurasian sparrowhawk can be found in any habitat and often hunts garden birds in towns and cities. Males tend to take smaller birds, including tits, finches and sparrows; females catch primarily thrushes and starlings but are capable of killing birds weighing 500 g (18 oz) or more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levant sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The Japanese sparrowhawk is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers. It was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter. The bird is known by many alternative names such as the Japanese lesser, Asiatic, or Eastern sparrowhawk. This species is a small raptor with broader and rounder wings and a shorter tail. Its total length measures 23–30 centimetres (9.1–11.8 in). It has a dark back and whitish underside with brown-grey barring and red-brown colouring on the sides in males, and with heavier brown barring on the abdomen in females. Both sexes have a stripe across the throat, but its more obvious in the female. Is it typically identified by its appearance, but occasionally produces a chattering kiki-kik-kik... sound. This species generally breeds in parts of Russia, Korea, Japan, and China. There are three subspecies of Japanese sparrowhawk that differ by distribution and appearance. The species is globally listed as least concern, although it is listed as endangered in Japan and protected in China.

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The Malagasy harrier is a bird of prey belonging to the marsh harrier group of harriers. It inhabits Madagascar and the Comoro Islands in the Indian Ocean. It was formerly regarded as a subspecies of the Réunion harrier but is increasingly treated as a separate species. It is also known as the Madagascar harrier, Madagascar marsh harrier or Malagasy marsh harrier.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicobar sparrowhawk</span> Species of bird

The Nicobar sparrowhawk is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India. There are two subspecies, the nominate race which is found on Car Nicobar in the north of the archipelago, and T. b. obsoleta, from Katchal and Camorta in the central part of the Nicobars. A museum specimen originally attributed to this species from the island of Great Nicobar was later found to be a misidentified Besra. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-bellied goshawk</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henst's goshawk</span> Species of bird

Henst's goshawk is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter. It is a large, diurnal bird endemic to the island of Madagascar. It is an obligate forest species that occurs at very low densities on the island and is rarely seen. It can only occupy the primary and secondary forests found within the island. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss within Madagascar.

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References

  1. BirdLife International (2018). "Accipiter madagascariensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T22695613A129916593. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22695613A129916593.en . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Madagascar Sparrowhawk". IUCN Red List.
  3. 1 2 3 Kemp, Alan C.; Kirwan, Guy M.; Christie, David (2020). "Madagascar Sparrowhawk (Accipiter madagascariensis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.madspa1.01. ISSN   2771-3105.
  4. 1 2 3 "Madagascar Sparrowhawk | The Peregrine Fund". www.peregrinefund.org. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  5. "Summon 2.0". tcu.summon.serialssolutions.com. Retrieved 2023-10-22.