Crested Goshawk
Lophospiza trivirgata
凤头鹰
Introduction
A bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, formerly classified in the genus Accipiter but now placed in Lophospiza following molecular phylogenetic studies. It is widely distributed across tropical Asia, ranging from India and Sri Lanka to southern China, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. This secretive forest-dweller has short broad wings and a long tail, both adaptations for maneuvering through trees. It primarily inhabits lowland tropical and warm subtropical forests but has shown adaptability to urban environments in Malaysia and Singapore. The species is an all-year resident throughout its range, though it is very rare in northern upland areas such as the Himalayan foothills. In Hong Kong, it is protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cap 170.
Description
This raptor has short broad wings and a long tail, both adaptations for maneuvering through trees. It measures 30-46 cm in length, with females significantly larger than males. A short crest is clearly visible in profile. Adult males have a dark brown crown, grey head sides, and black moustachial and throat stripes; the pale underparts display rufous streaks on the breast and bars on the belly. The larger females have a browner head with brown underpart streaks and bars. Juveniles exhibit pale fringes to head feathers and have buff rather than white underpart coloration. The characteristic flight consists of a slow flap, slow flap, followed by a straight glide.
Identification
The combination of larger size and a short crest clearly visible in profile distinguishes this species from its close relative, the besra (Tachyspiza virgata). The crest is a key field mark when viewing the bird in profile.
Distribution & Habitat
Ranges across southern Asia from India and Sri Lanka through southern China and Southeast Asia to Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Eleven subspecies are recognized across different regions and islands. It is primarily a lowland bird and an all-year resident throughout its range. Even in northern upland habitats such as the Himalayan foothills and Sal forest in India's Dehradun district, it remains resident year-round, though it is generally very rare at the northern edge of its range. Increasing populations have been documented in urban areas of Malaysia and Singapore.
Behavior & Ecology
A secretive forest bird that hunts by surprise from perches, capturing birds, mammals, and reptiles in woodland areas. It builds a stick nest in trees and typically lays two or three eggs. The species has specific parasitic relationships: the ischnoceran louse Degeeriella storeri is known only from this host, while the amblyceran louse Kurodaia fulvofasciata is more widely found on birds of prey throughout the Holarctic.
Conservation
Protected in Hong Kong under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cap 170. While local protections exist, no global IUCN assessment or population trend data is provided in the source material.
Culture
Found in Kam Shan Country Park in Hong Kong, where it receives legal protection under local wildlife legislation.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Lophospiza
- eBird Code
- cregos1
Subspecies (11)
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Lophospiza trivirgata castroi
Polillo (off Luzon in northern Philippines)
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Lophospiza trivirgata extima
southeastern Philippines
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Lophospiza trivirgata formosae
Taiwan
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Lophospiza trivirgata indica
India and Nepal to southern China, Indochina, and Malay Peninsula
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Lophospiza trivirgata javanica
Java (vagrant to Bali)
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Lophospiza trivirgata layardi
Sri Lanka
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Lophospiza trivirgata microsticta
Borneo
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Lophospiza trivirgata niasensis
Nias Island (off western Sumatra)
-
Lophospiza trivirgata palawana
southwestern Philippines (Palawan and Calamianes)
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Lophospiza trivirgata peninsulae
southwestern India
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Lophospiza trivirgata trivirgata
Sumatra
Data Sources
CBR Notes: 由Accipiter属移入重新恢复的Lophospiza属，学名由Accipiter trivirgatus改为Lophospiza trivirgata（Lerner & Mindell 2005；Mindell et al. 2018；Sangster et al.2021；Catanach et al.2024）
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.