• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category

This species has a small population size, and is inferred to be undergoing a continuing decline as a result of habitat loss from deforestation. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable.

Population justification
The population was estimated in 2016 to be 1,000-2,250 individuals (R. Thorstrom in litt. 2016), which was roughly equivalent to 670-1,500 mature individuals. It is now estimated that there are fewer than 1,000 mature individuals (L. Rene de Roland in litt. 2020). The global population is therefore placed in the band of 500-999 mature individuals. The subpopulation structure is not known, but given the species's wide range and fragmented habitat, it is assumed that there are multiple subpopulations and that fewer than 89% of mature individuals are found in a single subpopulation.

Trend justification
The population is inferred to be in decline owing to ongoing deforestation. An analysis of remote-sensed data on deforestation between 2000 and 2012 (Tracewski et al. 2016) estimated a rate of forest loss of 10% over three generations for this species.

Accipiter henstii is a forest raptor sparsely distributed throughout most of Madagascar but absent from the south-west (Langrand 1990). It is rare throughout its range (Langrand 1990, Morris and Hawkins 1998), but appears to be present in almost all adequately large forest blocks that have been surveyed (ZICOMA 1999).

It occurs in primary forest, both dry deciduous and humid evergreen, and in some secondary woodlands and large Eucalyptus plantations, not always near primary forest, up to 1,800 m (del Hoyo et al. 1994). It has a large home range size and lives at low densities, making it vulnerable to population declines, and may be declining more rapidly than currently thought (R. Thorstrom in litt. 2016). It hunts below the canopy for birds and small mammals, probably including some lemurs (Langrand 1990, Morris and Hawkins 1998). Egg-laying takes place in October-November, and the nest is large and constructed from sticks in the main fork of large trees, including those in Eucalyptus plantations (del Hoyo et al. 1994).

The species is considered vulnerable to deforestation (del Hoyo et al. 1994), and doesn't tolerate human disturbance (R. Thorstrom in litt. 2016). Forests in Madagascar are being destroyed as a result of slash-and-burn pasture and agriculture (Vieilledent et al., 2018), mainly for rice in the eastern regions, and maize in the drier west (Desbureaux and Damania 2018).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys to establish an up-to-date estimate of its population and range. Study the species's ecology, in particular in rainforest and dry forest habitats (R. Thorstrom in litt. 2016). Monitor rates of deforestation across its range. Secure habitat through protected area status. Research the link between deforestation and droughts at the farm level (Desbureaux and Damania 2018). Where deforestation is driven by the effects of drought on already-existing agricultural land, implement social policies such as cash and in-kind transfers, or weather-index insurance programs to increase the economic resilience of farmers to droughts (Desbureaux and Damania 2018).

A large forest accipiter. Even dark grey-brown above, with slight pale supercilium and pale, heavily-barred underparts, long yellow legs and long tail. Young birds are paler brown above, often with paler feather-bases showing, and are streaked brownish underneath. Similar spp. Very similar to Madagascar Serpent Eagle Eutriorchis astur, though the adult lacks that species' overall brownish coloration and dark bars in tertials, mantle and crown-feathers. Young birds are easily distinguished by having streaks, not bars, on the underparts. Flight is generally more direct and rapid than Madagascar Serpent Eagle. Almost identical in plumage to Madagascar Sparrowhawk Accipiter madagascariensis, but much larger; differs in having throat barred and streaked, forming a chequered pattern, and in usually having bars on the undertail-coverts. Hints Often seen flying over the forest canopy calling, a loud, rapid, rather cracked "ang-ang-ang-ang-ang-ang...". Otherwise, sometimes seen briefly while chasing birds in the sub-canopy or in clearings.

Text account compilers
Clark, J.

Contributors
Evans, M., Hawkins, F., O'Brien, A., Robertson, P., Réné De Roland, L.A., Starkey, M., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Thorstrom, R. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Henst's Goshawk Accipiter henstii. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/hensts-goshawk-accipiter-henstii on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.