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

Justification of Red List category
This species is classified as Near Threatened because it has a moderately small population size that is suspected to be declining in line with ongoing habitat degradation within the range.

Population justification
This species is described as fairly common (Dutson 2011). Surveys in 1987 found an average density of 1.33 birds /km², with numbers as high as 5.69 birds /km² in optimal habitat (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). The population size was estimated at 2,500 pairs based on the most conservative density of 1.33 birds /km² across all habitats, though accounting for areas of higher density it was concluded that a more realistic figure may number twice this (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). Even accounting for likely declines in response to habitat loss and degradation, the population likely still numbers in the upper thousands (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001) and it is here placed in the range 5,000-9,999 mature individuals.

Trend justification
There are no data on population trends. Forest loss detected by remote sensing data is ongoing at a slow rate (c. 2% over three generations) within the range (Global Forest Watch 2024, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods therein), however this does not account for additional impacts of degradation: given its dependence on forest, it is likely to be affected by fire, logging, mining and invasive ungulates within the range (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001, Ekstrom et al. 2002). Additionally, a few are killed around inhabited areas as it sometimes kills domestic chickens (Vuilleumier and Gochfield 1976, Stokes 1980, Thiollay 1993, Ekstrom et al. 2000, J. Clark in litt. 2018). The species is suspected to be declining slowly overall, though the rate has not been quantified.

Accipiter haplochrous is endemic to New Caledonia (to France) where it is fairly common throughout. It is distributed from the far north (Manjelia) to the far south at Goro.

It appears to be widespread in humid forest but occurs at lower densities in degraded forest and savannah where it coexists with Brown Goshawk A. fasciatus. It is not shy and often found close to human habitation (V. Chartendrault and N. Barré in litt. 2007).

Forest loss detected by remote sensing data is ongoing at a slow rate (c. 2% over three generations) within the range (Global Forest Watch 2024, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein), however this does not account for additional impacts of degradation. Given its dependence on forest, it is likely to be affected by habitat degradation as a result of fire, logging, mining and invasive ungulates within the range (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001, Ekstrom et al. 2002). Additionally, despite legal protection, a few are killed around inhabited areas as it sometimes kills domestic chickens (Vuilleumier and Gochfield 1976, Stokes 1980, Thiollay 1993, Ekstrom et al. 2000, J. Clark in litt. 2018).

Conservation Actions Underway
Listed in CITES Appendix II.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Ensure the protection of tracts of primary forest. Monitor populations in primary and degraded forest to ellucidate trends. Compare nesting success in primary and degraded forest. Run a public education campaign to discourage the killing of native raptors.

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Barré, N., Chartendrault, V. & Clark, J.

---

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-bellied Goshawk Accipiter haplochrous. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-bellied-goshawk-accipiter-haplochrous 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.