The Black-mantled Goshawk (Accipiter melanochlamys) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is indigenous to the forests and woodlands of southeast Asia. This bird is also known for its other common names, such as Melanochlamys or Nicobar Goshawk. Their physical appearance is striking and unique with sexual dimorphism that is evident in both juveniles and adults.
The male Black-mantled Goshawk is smaller, with a length of 40-46 centimeters and a weight of 240-345 grams, while the female can range from 48-58 centimeters in length and 454–700 grams in weight. Their head is black, with an orange iris, and has a black collar that separates the head from the chest and back. The wings and back are blue-grey with black bars and the undersides of their wings have white spots.
The Black-mantled Goshawk's diet consists mainly of birds, but they are opportunistic hunters, and prey on small mammals, lizards, and insects. They hunt by chasing their prey through the trees with great speed and agility, before catching them with their sharp talons.
These birds are monogamous and territorial, and they build their nests in the canopies of tall trees. The female typically lays two to three eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, the Black-mantled Goshawk population is declining in certain regions, and they are classified as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is imperative to protect the forests, which are home to these magnificent birds and other endangered species, in order to conserve their biodiversity and prevent their extinction.