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Crested Goshawk – courtship

on 1st February 2018

“Accidentally muddied my gear while watching the Purple Heron so, while that is in the shop, using my older equipment. I spotted a pair of Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus indicus) in courtship. In the past when I have seen the classical aerial displays I have assumed these were territorial (see an old video from me HERE, and this OBI composite HERE. Wells (1999) suggests that there are more likely to be pair interaction.

“On this occasion I managed to observe it for 20 minutes and I am now certain it is courtship behaviour.

GoshawkCr [AmarSingh}

“This pair has at least 3 large nests at heights of 12-14 meters in a clump of very tall trees. I saw the pair perform the classical aerial display of head down, drooped wings which are fluttered and lowered tail with coverts fluffed out (above). This was done from perch to perch between the tree tops.

GoshawkCr [AmarSingh}

“Post 1 is an example (images were tough due to density of trees) and were most were done by the male. In addition, there were frantic chasing bouts that occurred at high speed between the trees. I also got the impression they were choosing/deciding on which nest to use as they would stop at different nest with vocalisation.

GoshawkCr [AmarSingh}

“An example of one of the massive nests is shown above (not in use yet). Although this was an urban location, I suspect my presence/watching did impair or mute behaviour, so I limited my time there.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
7th January 2018

Location: Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Urban environment

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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