Species Profile
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis
Goshawk, also known as the Northern Goshawk
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Goshawk
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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.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Grey
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Yellow
Female Colors
- Primary
- Grey
- Secondary
- Brown
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Yellow
Female Markings
Larger size, browner plumage than males
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & 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.
Distribution
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.
Calls & Sounds
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.
Conservation
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.
Elevation
Sea level to 3,400 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- 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.
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
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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