Northern Goshawk
Least ConcernAccipiter gentilis
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Northern Goshawk is a large, powerful raptor with a slate-grey back, pale grey barred underparts, and a distinctive white eyebrow stripe. It has a long tail and short, broad wings adapted for manoeuvring through forests.
Females are noticeably larger than males, often appearing browner and have more heavily pronounced markings that may look barred across their breasts and belly.
Juveniles have brown upperparts and cream underparts with dark streaks, gradually moulting into adult plumage over two years. Their eyes also remain pale yellow until their second year, when they darken to the red-orange shade seen in adult goshawks.
Size
Length
46cm to 61cm
Wingspan
98cm to 127cm
Weight
630g to 2kg
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Northern Goshawks inhabit mature, mixed forests across North America, Europe, and northern Asia. They prefer areas with dense canopy cover and open understories for hunting.
In North America, they are found in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska, extending into the northern and western United States. European populations are widespread but patchily distributed, with strongholds in Scandinavia and Russia.
The top locations in the UK for spotting goshawks include Northamptonshire’s Kielder Forest, the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, and Hampshire’s New Forest National Park.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 3,400 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Northern Goshawk. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Northern Goshawk is renowned for its exceptional agility, particularly in forest environments. Its ability to manoeuvre swiftly through dense woodlands, executing rapid turns and sudden accelerations to capture prey, demonstrates remarkable aerial prowess.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a large, powerful raptor, the Northern Goshawk possesses considerable strength. Its capacity to take down medium-sized birds and mammals, including rabbits and grouse, indicates robust physical capabilities. The females, being larger, likely exhibit even greater strength.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Northern Goshawks show good adaptability, inhabiting various forest types across a wide range of elevations (sea level to 3,400 metres). Their ability to hunt diverse prey and adjust to different forest structures suggests considerable adaptiveness, though they do prefer specific habitat conditions.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
These birds are notably aggressive, particularly in defending their territories and nests. Their fierce protection against intruders, including humans, and their bold hunting style characterise a highly aggressive nature. The 'phantom of the forest' moniker belies their assertive behaviour when threatened or hunting.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
While specific endurance data is limited, Northern Goshawks demonstrate good endurance through their hunting techniques, which involve both sit-and-wait tactics and rapid pursuit flights. Their partial migratory behaviour in some populations also suggests a reasonable level of endurance, though they are not known for extremely long-distance flights.
Diet
Northern Goshawks are versatile predators, primarily hunting medium-sized birds and mammals. Their diet includes grouse, bats, reptiles, rabbits, squirrels, and corvids.
They employ a sit-and-wait strategy, perching quietly before launching swift, powerful attacks on unsuspecting prey.
Prey may be cached for a future meal, and goshawks are regularly observed to take their catch to a plucking post, where they remove any feathers or fur before eating.
Behaviour
Northern Goshawks are known for their aggressive hunting style. They fly rapidly through dense forests to pursue prey. They are generally solitary and territorial, fiercely defending their nesting areas against intruders, including humans. During courtship, pairs perform spectacular aerial displays with undulating flights and loud calls.
Vocalisation
Northern Goshawks are generally silent outside the breeding season. They produce a rapid series of loud, sharp 'kak-kak-kak' calls during courtship and nesting. When alarmed or defending territory, they emit a piercing, drawn-out 'keeeeaa' scream that can be heard from a considerable distance.
Wailing contact calls between mates can also be heard in various situations, including food transfer and a recognition greeting.
Nesting & Breeding
Northern Goshawks form monogamous pairs and typically breed from March to June. Males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract females, including undulating flights and offering prey items.
Nests are large platforms of sticks, usually placed high in a tree fork near the trunk. Females lay 2-4 bluish-white eggs, which are incubated primarily by the female for about 35 days.
Both parents care for the nestlings, which fledge after 35-42 days but remain dependent on the adults for several more weeks. Goshawks often reuse and refurbish nests in subsequent years.
Lifespan
The Northern Goshawk typically lives for 7 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 18 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While listed as Least Concern globally, Northern Goshawks face regional threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and fragmentation. In some areas, they are also affected by human persecution and climate change. Conservation efforts focus on protecting mature forest habitats and monitoring populations.
Population Data
Global Population Estimate
1,000,000 - 2,499,999 mature individuals [3]
Global Population Trend
Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them in mature forests with open understories
- Listen for their distinctive 'ki-ki-ki' call, especially during breeding season
- Observe hunting behaviour near forest edges or clearings
- Be cautious when approaching nesting areas, as they can be aggressive
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Goshawk
Family:
AccipitridaePredators
Adult Northern Goshawks have few natural predators, but Great Horned Owls and Eurasian Eagle-Owls may prey on them. Eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to raccoons, martens, and other climbing predators.
Did You Know?
- Northern Goshawks have exceptional eyesight, estimated to be eight times sharper than human vision.
- They are sometimes called 'phantom of the forest' due to their elusive nature and swift, silent flight.
- Goshawks have been used in falconry for over 2,000 years, prized for their hunting prowess.
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References
- 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Accipiter gentilis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22695683A198505113.
View source - 1
website, 2009: BTO Ringing Data
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