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Accipiter gentilis

(Eurasian Goshawk)

Overview

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The Northern Goshawk is the largest of the three forest hawks that make up the genus Accipiter. It ranges from 19-27" in length , with an average wingspan of 40- 47". The female is slightly larger than the male. The body is broad and robust with short powerful wings . A pronounced mass of white feathers above each eye may offer protection to the eyes as it dives into thick brush to ambush prey . A long wedgeshaped tail acts as a rudder, giving the Goshawk remarkable agility in making sudden sharp turns through the trees . Some biologists have nicknamed the Goshawk the “sports car of the bird world” when describing its maneuverability in the air . Even more impressive is the tenacity of this grand bird in pursuit of its prey. As its prey seeks cover in a dense thicket, the Goshawk often continues the chase on foot .[1]

Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in Dutch:

Havik

Common Names in English:

Eurasian Goshawk, Goshawk, Northern Goshawk

Common Names in French:

autour des palombes

Common Names in German:

Habicht

Common Names in Hebrew:

נץ גדול

Common Names in Italian:

Astore

Common Names in Japanese:

オオタカ

Common Names in Russian:

Teterevyatnik, Тетеревятник, Ястреб-тетеревятник

Common Names in Spanish:

Azor, Azor Común, Gavil, Gavilán azor, Gavilán azor

Common Names in Swedish:

Duvhök

Description

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Physical Description

Adult : Head : Crown: black Ear Tufts: orange red Face : Eye Ring: white Postocular Stripe : wedge-shaped black Body: Back: blue gray Upperparts: white with gray mottling Tail: Length : long Shape : rounded or wedge-shaped.

Color:

Adult : Red eye · Blackish head and face with bold white supercilium · Gray back and upperwings · Pale gray chin, throat , breast, underwing coverts and belly finely vermiculate · White undertail coverts · Tail dark blue-gray above and pale below, barred with dark bands · Flight feathers dark blue-gray above and pale below, barred with black

Immature : Yellow eye · Brown head with bold white supercilium · Brown back and upperwings · White belly boldly streaked with black to undertail coverts · Tail, brown above and pale below, marked by jagged bars edged narrowly in white

Size/Age/Growth

About 19 to 27 inches long, with a wingspan of 40 to 47 inches. Adults weigh about 32 ounces .

Habitat

Northern goshawks typically nest in moderately dense montane forests that are broken by lakes , streams , meadows, or openings. “Nests are usually concealed in dense, but sometimes small groves of large pines, firs, or aspens” (Gaines 1988). The goshawk prefers middle and higher elevations and mature , dense conifer forests but nests in most forest types are found throughout the geographic range from sea level to the alpine elevations (Squires and Reynolds 1997). Goshawks selected foraging sites that had higher canopy closure , greater tree density , and greater density of trees than on neighboring control plots (Squires and Ruggiero 1996). These correlations are consistent with the hypothesis that goshawk morphology and behavior are adapted for hunting in moderately dense, mature forests, and that prey availability (as determined by the occurrence of favorable vegetation structure where prey are present above a low threshold) is more important than prey density in habitat selection (Beier and Drennan, 1997). Nesting habitat of the northern goshawk includes mature, mixed hardwood-hemlock stands of birch, beech, maple, and eastern hemlock within the eastern portion of its range. In the central portion, it nests primarily in ponderosa pine. In the western portion of its range, the goshawk nests in Douglas-fir, various pines, and aspen. The forest stands containing nests are often small, approximately 10 to 100 acres and territories may contain one to five alternative nest site areas (Squires and Reynolds 1997).

Goshawks select productive old-growth forests, with greater than 60 percent of all adult goshawk relocations occurring in this cover type. Non-forest, clear cut , and alpine cover types were least used by the northern goshawk and were avoided relative to their availability. The median breeding season minimum convex polygon use areas of adult goshawks was about 10,000 acres. Goshawks predominantly use gentle slopes at elevations below 800 feet. A total of 24 percent of the relocations of northern goshawks occurred in riparian habitat zones, and nearly 20 percent of all relocations occurred with the beach fringe habitat extending 1,000 feet inland from the ocean shoreline (Iverson, et al. 1996).

In saturated populations, the species composition and structure of vegetation in the nest areas depends on the availability within a given territory. Thus, although the goshawk may prefer certain nest habitat structures, habitat characteristics in the nest areas vary from territory to territory, depending on the availability. Although the species is considered a habitat generalist at a large spatial scale, they tend to nest in a relatively narrow range of vegetation structural condition. Nests are typically in mature to old growth forests composed primarily of large trees with high, 60 to 90 percent, canopy closure, near the bottom of moderate hill slopes, with sparse ground cover. These closed stands may reduce predation and along with the north slopes, provide relatively cool environments (Squires and Reynolds 1997).

In California, the species may casually occur in winter along the coast, throughout the foothills, and in the northern deserts where it may be found in pinyon-juniper and low-elevation riparian habitats (Zeiner, et al. 1990). In general, for cover purposes, it uses mature and old-growth stands of conifer and deciduous habitats. Dense, mature conifer and deciduous forest, interspersed with meadows, other openings, and riparian areas also are required. Nesting habitat of the species includes north-facing slopes near water (Zeiner, et al. 1990).

Vegetation: tropical lowland evergreen forest, pine forests, tropical lowland evergreen forest, pine-oak forests • Minimum Elevation: 2,100 meters • Maximum Elevation: 3,400 meters • Foraging Strata: Canopy • Center of Abundance: Upper montaine: mountains, upper range, above 3,600 m. • Sensitivity to Disturbance: High

Ecology: List of Habitats :

Biology

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Diet

The northern goshawk hunts in wooded areas. Its uses snags and dead-topped trees for observation and prey-plucking perches . Typical prey items of the northern goshawk are of a wide diversity and the species is considered an opportunist. It feeds mostly on birds, from robin to grouse in size. Small mammals, of squirrel and rabbit size, are often taken. The goshawk rarely eats carrion and insects ( Schnell 1958). Prey items of the goshawk include: tree squirrels, hares, grouse, corvids, woodpeckers and large passerines , with reptiles and insects making up a more occasional portion of the accipiter’s diet (Squires and Reynolds 1997). In general, they have been documented to take a variety of small to small/medium mammals and birds from small passerines to ducks and pheasants (Bent 1937). Based on biomass , the snowshoe hare and grouse account for a very large proportion of the diet in the Cascade region of Washington; this population has a narrower niche than some populations but demonstrates the opportunistic behavior of the species relative to prey selection (Watson et al. 1998). Prey are caught in the air , on the ground , or in vegetation, using a fast, searching flight, or rapid dash from a perch. The goshawk is fierce, aggressive and very persistent in pursuing prey and is capable of tremendous short bursts of speed when chasing a prey animal (Brown and Amadon 1968).

Similar to the other accipiter species, the goshawk is a bird of the woodland, either deciduous or coniferous and sometimes mixed with cultivation. It is not averse to crossing clearings or entering them to hunt and will forage relatively large distances . Frequently, they migrate away from nesting or resident areas in response to food availability (Brown and Amadon 1968). Beier and Drennan (1997) found that several habitat structure components were more influential in foraging site selection than prey density. They found that goshawks select sites with higher canopy closure and greater tree density. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that goshawk behavior and morphology are adapted for hunting in moderately dense mature forests where prey are most vulnerable (Squires and Reynolds 1997).

In California, mature and old-growth habitat are used for foraging, whereas open habitats such as meadows and seedling and sapling stands are avoided (Austin 1993). It was also found that nest sites and surrounding home range areas had greater basal area, canopy cover, and trees in large diameter classes than did random plots, however, some populations readily forage in open habitats (Hargis, et al. 1994).]

Reproduction

The nesting sites of the goshawk vary in different parts of the country. In the northwest, it commonly nests in mature douglas fir, ponderosa or lodgepole pine of varying densities. They also nest in cottonwoods and other deciduous trees in stream bottoms (Call 1978). The nest habitat is single to multistoried, depending on the forest type . In eastern deciduous forests, goshawks prefer to nest in large forested areas containing more mature timber than generally present in the landscape. In northern California, smaller nest stands (less than 10 hectares ) containing one to two nests were occasionally occupied, whereas the occupancy of large stands (greater than 20 hectares) was more consistent and thus the occupancy rate of nest stands was positively correlated with stand size (Squires and Reynolds 1997).

The goshawk usually nests on north slopes , near water, in the densest parts of stands, but close to openings (Jackman and Scott 1975). In eastern Oregon, the nest usually is located in the fork of a large, horizontal limb close to the trunk , at the bottom of the live canopy 6-24 m (19-82 ft ) above ground . The species uses large, live trees with a mean dbh of 27.4 cm (11 in) (Reynolds, et al. 1982). It uses old nests, and maintains alternate sites. Within the southern California forests, they usually nest in large live trees, frequently on north slopes near water, in the densest part of the stand, but also near openings (USFS pers. comm. 1999). Multistoried forest canopy predominates at nest sites; however, there is typically no shrub layer. The nest site and nest tree tend to be comprised of the locally dominant tree species (Hall 1993). Nest tree height and diameter support the body size predictions about nesting habitat for accipiter hawks. As a result of this, it is difficult to differentiate between Cooper’s hawk and northern goshawk nest sites for most site variables. Many of the commonly used forest stand characteristics such as basal areas and total tree density may not be adequate for predicting suitable accipiter nesting habitat (Siders and Kennedy 1996).

The nest is a large, flat, untidy structure placed usually in a crotch , but sometimes out on a limb (Harrison 1978). It is usually at a height of 30 to 60 feet in a variety of trees, and the species may actually prefer hardwood in some areas (Shuster 1980). At least in some areas the nests are lined with hard pieces of bark and also with green sprigs of conifers. One to five, usually three eggs are laid. The clutch size is affected by the abundance of favorable prey . The latest dates for egg-laying are the early part of June. Incubation is done by both male and female for approximately 41 days. The young become independent at approximately 70 days (Brown and Amadon 1968; Bond 1942.).

These accipiters are thought to be monogamous with a 1:1 sex ratio prior to fledgling . Mate retention is high for both males and females and it is thought that the pair remain together as long as both are alive, at least in areas where the species is non-migratory (Brown and Amadon 1968; Squires and Reynolds 1997). In most cases, one clutch is produced per year (Squires and Reynolds 1997).

Dispersal : Dispersal typically occurs 65 to 95 days after hatching (Squires and Reynolds 1997). Fledglings remain within their respective nest stands for most of the post-fledgling period and movements away from the nest tree are initially restricted by the size of the nest stand itself (Shipman and Bechard 1995). Nestlings from banding studies relocated as breeders nesting 16.1 to 24.2 kilometers from their natal site (Squires and Reynolds 1997).

Some breeding populations appear to be either migratory or exhibit transient movements. A group of northern goshawks moved approximately 65 to 185 kilometers during the winter season and then returned to the previous year’s nesting area in the spring (Squires and Ruggiero 1995).

Northern Goshawks are monogamous and are thought to mate for life. When courting or displaying over a nesting territory, Goshawks may perform impressive aerial displays or perch in the nesting area while vocalizing. They will fiercely defend their nests from intruders. Goshawks produce two to four young each season. Once nestlings reach 35 to 42 days old, they move to branches near the nest. They promptly begin practice flights from branch to branch and may initiate a flight on their own when they are 35 to 46 days old. Fledglings often take part in “play” behavior which is believed to give them practice in hunting and defense skills. Parents may continue to feed their young until they are about 70 days old.[1]

Breeding Habitat: Woodland Clutch Size: 2-4 Length of Incubation: 36-38 days Days to Fledge : 35-42 Number of Broods: 1

Migration

Goshawks from many populations will remain in their nesting areas throughout their lives, although those that breed in the north and northwestern parts of North America are migratory. Goshawks that breed in New Mexico may relocate to lower elevations during the cold winter months when prey is limited.[1]

Behavior

The goshawk is a diurnally active species (Zeiner, et al. 1990). Young have been reported bathing (Bond 1942, Brown and Amadon 1968).

Survival: Estimated mortality rates based on banding recoveries are 66 percent for year one; 33 percent for year two; 19 percent for year three; 19 percent for year four and 11 percent for the following years (Squires and Reynolds 1997).

Socio-Spatial Behavior: Home range appears to be the same as territory. The northern goshawk is extremely defensive of the nest area. It is vociferous; it will strike intruders, including humans. The territory is estimated to be 1.6 to 39 sq. km (0.6 to 15 sq mi ) (Brown and Amadon 1968), and average 2.1 sq. km. (0.8 sq. mi.) in Wyoming (Craighead and Craighead 1956). Distances of 2.9 to 5.6 km (1.8 to 3.5 mi) have been reported between nesting pairs. They have an indefinite nesting area, varying in size from six to 15 miles often containing several nests among which they may choose (Brown and Amadon 1968). In California, the maximum distance between alternative nest stands is 1.8 kilometers and approximately 85% of the alternate nest stands are less than 0.7 kilometers apart. Depending on the continuity of forest cover , nests of adjacent pairs occur at regular intervals (Squires and Reynolds 1997). Distances between pairs have been reported to be 1.8 to 3.5 miles (Zeiner, et al. 1990).

Taxonomy

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Synonyms

Accipiter gentilis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name .

Last scrutiny: 24-Jun-1996

Similar Species

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Cooper's Hawk

Members of the genus Accipiter

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 86 species and subspecies in this genus:

A. albogularis (Pied Goshawk) · A. albogularis albogularis (Pied Goshawk) · A. badius (Little Banded Goshawk) · A. badius badius (Little Banded Goshawk) · A. bicolor (Bicoloured Sparrow Hawk) · A. bicolor bicolor (Bicoloured Sparrow Hawk) · A. brachyurus (New Britain Collared Sparrow Hawk) · A. brevipes (Levant Sparrow Hawk) · A. buergersi (Chestnut-Shouldered Goshawk) · A. butleri (Nicobar Sparrowhawk) · A. butleri butleri (Nicobar Sparrowhawk) · A. castanilius (Chestnut-Bellied Sparrow Hawk) · A. chionogaster (White-Breasted Hawk) · A. cirrhocephalus (Australian Collared Sparrow Hawk) · A. cirrhocephalus cirrhocephalus (Australian Collared Sparrow Hawk) · A. cirrocephalus (Australian Collared Sparrow Hawk) · A. cirrocephalus cirrocephalus (Australian Collared Sparrow Hawk) · A. collaris (Semi-Collared Sparrow Hawk) · A. cooperi (Big Blue Darter) · A. cooperii (Big Blue Darter) · A. erythrauchen (Grey Moluccan Collared Sparrow Hawk) · A. erythronemius (Rufous Thighed Hawk) · A. erythropus (Western Little Sparrowhawk) · A. erythropus erythropus (Red-Thighed Sparrow Hawk) · A. fasciatus (Christmas Island Nighthawk) · A. fasciatus fasciatus (Australian Goshawk) · A. fasciatus natalis (Christmas Island Nighthawk) · A. francesiae (Frances' Sparrow Hawk) · A. francesii (Anjouan Island Sparrow Hawk) · A. francesii francesii (Frances' Sparrow Hawk) · A. francesii pusillus (Anjouan Island Sparrow Hawk) · A. gentilis (Eurasian Goshawk) · A. gentilis apache (Apache Northern Goshawk) · A. gentilis atricapillus (Northern Goshawk) · A. gentilis gallinarum (Northern Goshawk) · A. gentilis gentilis (Northern Goshawk) · A. gentilis laingi (Northern Goshawk) · A. griseiceps (Sulawesi Crested Goshawk) · A. gularis (Japanese Lesser Sparrow Hawk) · A. gularis gularis (Japanese Lesser Sparrow Hawk) · A. gundlachi (Gundlach's Hawk) · A. gundlachii (Gundlach's Hawk) · A. gundlachi gundlachi (Gundlach's Hawk) · A. haplochrous (New-Caledonia Sparrow Hawk) · A. henicogrammus (Moluccan Goshawk) · A. henstii (Henst's Goshawk) · A. imitator (Imitator Sparrow Hawk) · A. luteoschistaceus (Slaty-Backed Goshawk) · A. madagascariensis (Madagascar Sparrow Hawk) · A. melanochlamys (Black Mantled Goshawk) · A. melanoleucus (Black Sparrow Hawk) · A. melanoleucus melanoleucus (Great Sparrow Hawk) · A. meyerianus (Meyer's Goshawk) · A. minullus (African Little Sparrow Hawk) · A. minullus minullus (African Little Sparrow Hawk) · A. nanus (Celebes Little Sparrow Hawk) · A. nisus (Northern Sparrow Hawk) · A. nisus nisus (Northern Sparrow Hawk) · A. novaehollandiae (White Goshawk) · A. novaehollandiae novaehollandiae (White Goshawk) · A. ovampensis (Ovampo Sparrow Hawk) · A. poliocephalus (New Guinea Grey-Headed Goshawk) · A. poliogaster (Gray-Bellied Hawk) · A. princeps (New Britain Grey-Headed Goshawk) · A. radiatus (Doria's Goshawk) · A. rhodogaster (Vinous-Breasted Sparrow Hawk) · A. rhodogaster rhodogaster (Vinous-Breasted Sparrow Hawk) · A. rufitorques (Fiji Goshawk) · A. rufiventris (Red-Breasted Sparrowhawk) · A. rufiventris rufiventris (Rufous-Breasted Sparrow Hawk) · A. soloensis (Chinese Sparrowhawk) · A. striatus (Slate-Colored Hawk) · A. striatus perobscurus (Sharp-Shinned Hawk) · A. striatus striatus (Sharp-Shinned Hawk) · A. striatus suttoni (Sharp-Shinned Hawk) · A. striatus velox (Sharp-Shinned Hawk) · A. superciliosus (Tiny Sparrow Hawk) · A. tachiro (African Goshawk) · A. tachiro tachiro (African Goshawk) · A. toussenelii (Red-Chested Goshawk) · A. trinotatus (Spot-Tailed Sparrow Hawk) · A. trivirgatus (Asian Crested Goshawk) · A. trivirgatus trivirgatus (Asian Crested Goshawk) · A. ventralis (Plain-Breasted Hawk) · A. virgatus (Bersa Sparrow Hawk) · A. virgatus virgatus (Besra Sparrow Hawk)

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 12, 2007:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. New Mexico Wildlife. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Version of April 24, 2009. [back]
Last Revised: 7/23/2012