African elephant vs African Goshawk

Loxodonta africana compared with Accipiter tachiro

Key Differences

  • African elephant is Vulnerable while African Goshawk is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank African elephant African Goshawk
Kingdom same Animalia (Animals) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordates) Chordata (Chordates)
Class Mammalia (Mammals) Aves (Birds)
Order Proboscidea (Elephants) Accipitriformes (Hawks & Eagles)
Family Elephantidae (Elephants) Accipitridae (Hawks & Eagles)
Genus Loxodonta (African Elephants) Accipiter
Species Loxodonta africana Accipiter tachiro

Evolutionary Relationship

African elephant and African Goshawk share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

African elephant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

African Goshawk

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute African elephant African Goshawk
Diet Herbivore
Average Lifespan 65 years
Average Length 6.0 m
Average Weight 6.0 t

Habitat & Geographic Range

African elephant

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

African Goshawk

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Found in Norway.

African elephant

The largest land animal on Earth, African elephants can reach 7,000 kg and inhabit sub-Saharan savannas, forests, and wetlands. Highly intelligent with complex social structures led by matriarchs, they communicate through infrasound, rumbles, and touch. As ecosystem engineers, they shape habitats by uprooting trees, digging waterholes, and dispersing seeds. Vulnerable, with populations declining due to ivory poaching and habitat loss.

African Goshawk

The African Goshawk (Accipiter tachiro) is a species in the genus Accipiter. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

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