Marine Species Conservation
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National: Vulnerable
Queensland: Vulnerable
Hawksbills typically occur in tidal and sub-tidal coral and rocky reef habitats throughout tropical waters, extending into warm temperate areas as far south as northern New South Wales. In Australia the main feeding area extends along the east coast, including the Great Barrier Reef. Other feeding areas include Torres Strait and the archipelagos of the Northern Territory and Western Australia, possibly as far south as Shark Bay or beyond.
Along the Great Barrier Reef, hawksbills nest in low numbers from just north of Princess Charlotte Bay to Torres Strait. Nesting also occurs in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Two major breeding areas occur in Australia:
Northern Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and northeastern Arnhem Land have several significant rookeries including: Milman, Johnson, Bouydong, Bird and Piper Islands in the northern GBR; Aukane, Kabikane, Mimi, Bet, Sassie and Lacey Islands in Torres Strait; and Hawk, North East and Truant Islands in north east Arnem Land.
The north west shelf has several significant rookeries including Rosemary and Varanus Islands.
Although hawksbills breed throughout the year, the peak nesting period in the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef region occurs between January and April. In Arnhem Land, nesting peaks between July and September.
Sponges make up a major part of the diet of hawksbills, although they also feed on seagrasses, algae, soft corals and shellfish.
The hawksbill turtle has a distinctive parrot-like beak.
Hawksbill turtle carapace: