Habitat loss is the largest contributor to Australia’s decreasing bird populations. A recent study by University of Queensland reports that 7.7 million hectares of critical forest and woodland habitat have been cleared since passing of the “Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999”. Of this 93% was not even referred for assessment. The report concludes that the act is totally ineffective.
Of the 1390 threatened species that saw loss of habitat it was the Red Goshawk that lost the most. This largest and rarest of Australia’s Goshawks saw its potential territory reduced by 3 million hectares. This wide ranging bird was once seen from the Northern Territory to north New South Wales but is now seldom seen in the southern part of the range.
The Red Goshawk hunts for large prey in forest and woodlands. This bird was seen on a roadside tree in Kakadu National Park.
Red Goshawk, Kakadu National Park