Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00386:body:0:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00386
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 2852–5794

to the survival of the species from clearance. An assessment of goshawk population dynamics is the most essential requirement of this recovery plan, and community awareness and participation in the conservation of this endemic raptor are also important actions.

Background Information

Conservation Status
The Christmas Island Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus natalis) is currently listed as Endangered (EPBC Act), however, according to Garnett & Crowley (2000) it now fulfils the criteria for Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Status
Since the Christmas Island Goshawk was described by Lister in 1888 as a full species Accipiter natalis, debate has continued over whether it is more closely allied to the Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus, or to the Grey Goshawk A. novaehollandiae. Lister (1888) thought the Christmas Island Goshawk was allied to the Grey Goshawk from the Maluku A. n. griseogularis. Chasen (1933) disagreed, thinking it a member of the A. fasciatus group. The Christmas Island Goshawk may have been isolated from populations of either of these species for a long period of time, and Carter (1994) raised the possibility of resurrecting the Christmas Island subspecies natalis to a full species.

International Obligations
The Christmas Island Goshawk is not listed under international agreements.

Distribution and location
The Christmas Island Goshawk is restricted to Christmas Island, a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean (10o0'S; 105o40' E), approximately 1400km northwest of Australia. The island sits on the northernmost edge of the Australasian continental plate, and immediately north the ocean floor drops into the Java Trench and depths of up to 6000m. The nearest land is Java in the Republic of Indonesia, 360km to the north. Christmas Island is truly oceanic and all its native biota has colonised by sea or by air (Gray 1981). The island is 135km2 and 75% is covered with original vegetation (Environment Australia 2002).

Gibson-Hill (1947) reported that Christmas Island Goshawks seemed to prefer areas of 'slightly thinner growth on the edge of thick jungle or the borders of clearings'. During 1994 and 1995 goshawks were observed in all major habitats on the island (Hill unpubl. data,). Goshawks were regularly seen hunting in regrowth vegetation along roadsides. This may be merely because they were much more visible in this habitat compared to intact forests. Parks Australia North (PAN) data from a systematic survey over all habitat of the island (over 1000 survey points) suggest that more goshawks are located within rainforest (95% of sightings) than in cleared areas. The Christmas Island Goshawk is the least frequently encountered diurnal forest bird and might best be described as 'widespread and uncommon'.

There are no data on adult or juvenile movements. Adult Christmas Island Goshawks are probably resident on their territories year-round. Grey Goshawks defend a territory around the