The Northern Goshawk is considered a rare bird of prey in many parts of its range. However, the rarity of this species is somewhat debatable and depends on the specific region and habitat. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Northern Goshawk, its status, population trends, and conservation to determine just how rare this elusive forest raptor truly is.
Quick Facts on the Northern Goshawk
Here are some key facts about the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis):
- The Northern Goshawk is a large, secretive hawk that inhabits forested regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
- It has a Holarctic distribution, found in boreal, temperate, and some subtropical forests across Eurasia and North America.
- Northern Goshawks are adept forest hunters, using quick bursts of speed and agility to capture avian prey among dense trees.
- They are a raptor of conservation concern in parts of their range due to habitat loss, persecution, and disturbance.
- Goshawks are considered Near Threatened globally and Endangered in some European countries.
- Total global population is estimated between 170,000 to 300,000 mature individuals.
Northern Goshawk Habitat and Range
The Northern Goshawk has an extensive range across the forests of the Northern Hemisphere. Its breeding habitat extends across Eurasia from the British Isles eastwards to Sakhalin Island in Russia. In North America, it breeds from Alaska across Canada and the northern United States. Parts of its range include:
- Europe – Scandinavia, Baltic countries, British Isles, Germany, Alps
- Asia – Russia, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia
- North America – Alaska, Canada, northern U.S. including Rocky Mountains
This species occupies a variety of forest types, including boreal forests dominated by conifers, mixed forests, and some deciduous forests. The key habitat requirements are large, mature trees for nesting and ample prey populations of birds and small mammals. Northern Goshawks are typically found in secluded forest interiors away from human disturbance.
Breeding and Wintering Ranges
Across their Holarctic range, Northern Goshawks have distinct breeding and wintering areas:
- Breeding – Boreal and temperate forests across Eurasia and North America from about 50°N to the tree line.
- Wintering – More southern parts of the breeding range and neighboring temperate regions. Northern populations may migrate south of breeding areas.
The breeding season lasts from around March to August. Northern Goshawks are highly territorial during the breeding season and will defend nesting sites from intruders.
Northern Goshawk Population and Conservation Status
Due to its extensive range across remote forest habitats, estimating Northern Goshawk population size is challenging. Here’s an overview of its global population and conservation status:
- Global population estimated at 170,000 to 300,000 mature individuals (Partners in Flight 2019).
- Considered globally Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to declining populations in parts of its range.
- Listed as Endangered in several European countries including Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and the UK.
- Considered a Species of Special Concern in some U.S. states like California and Colorado.
- Populations thought to be declining in Europe but more stable in North America overall.
Threats
Some of the major threats contributing to Northern Goshawk population declines in parts of its range include:
- Habitat loss and fragmentation – Logging, land clearing leading to loss and degradation of nesting and foraging habitat.
- Persecution – Illegal shooting and trapping due to false reputation as a poultry predator.
- Disturbance – Human activities near nest sites during the breeding season.
- Climate change – Potential impacts on prey populations and breeding success long-term.
Conservation Actions
Some conservation actions being implemented for the Northern Goshawk include:
- Protection of nesting and foraging habitat from logging or development.
- Public education to reduce persecution.
- Restricting human access near nests during breeding season.
- Reintroduction or supplementation efforts in parts of Europe.
- Monitoring populations and research into prey needs and habitat use.
Northern Goshawk Rarity in Different Regions
When evaluating the rarity of Northern Goshawks, their population status can vary significantly across different parts of the vast range. Here is an overview of Northern Goshawk rarity across three major regions:
Europe
The Northern Goshawk has faced severe population declines and extirpations across much of Europe since the 19th century. Persecution and habitat loss reduced the species to localized remnant populations by the mid-1900s. Current estimates include:
- 5,000 – 25,000 pairs estimated in Europe (BirdLife International 2016).
- Declared Endangered in several countries including Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and the UK.
- Reintroduction programs in the UK, Germany, and Latvia to restore extirpated populations.
While still rare and localized across many parts of Europe, some stable or increasing populations occur in eastern and northern regions like Russia and Scandinavia. Overall, the Northern Goshawk remains one of Europe’s rarest birds of prey.
North America
In North America, the Northern Goshawk has a much larger and more robust population across Canada and Alaska. Estimates include:
- 120,000 – 300,000 pairs estimated in Canada (Environment Canada 2014).
- Population believed to be stable or increasing in much of Canada.
- Listed as Sensitive or Species of Special Concern in some U.S. states.
While still uncommon in parts of its U.S. range, the Northern Goshawk has extensive strongholds in the remote boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. It is not considered globally rare or threatened in North America.
Eurasia
In Russia and northern Asia, the Northern Goshawk likely has its largest continuous populations. However, habitat loss in parts of China and Japan has caused local declines. Estimates include:
- Tens of thousands of pairs in Russia, exact numbers unknown.
- Declining population in China estimated at 10,000-100,000 individuals (IUCN 2015).
- 500-1000 pairs estimated in Japan (Yamaguchi et al. 2008).
The extensive boreal forests across Russia support significant Northern Goshawk populations. But pressures on habitats and prey in eastern Asia likely mean the species is declining in parts of its Eurasian range.
Is the Northern Goshawk Globally Rare?
While the Northern Goshawk is rare and threatened in parts of Europe, its extensive populations across Russia, Canada, and Alaska mean it is not currently considered globally rare or endangered as a whole. However, a number of factors point to the Northern Goshawk meriting continued conservation concern:
- Declining population trends in large parts of its range in Europe and eastern Asia.
- Persecution and habitat threats caused major historical declines.
- Small, fragmented populations remain over much of Europe.
- Sensitive to human disturbance and habitat changes.
Effective protection of boreal and temperate forest habitats will be key to ensuring healthy Northern Goshawk populations across Eurasia and North America into the future.
Conclusion
While not currently considered a globally threatened species, the Northern Goshawk has faced substantial population declines across significant parts of its range, especially in Europe. Habitat protection and proactive conservation measures are still needed to ensure the long-term survival of this rare forest raptor.
With extensive strongholds remaining in the remote boreal forests of Russia, Canada, and Alaska, the Northern Goshawk as a whole appears to have a sufficiently large and stable global population at this time. But ongoing monitoring and conservation action are warranted to prevent this secretive forest hunter from becoming rare on a global scale in the future.
Region | Population Estimate | Population Trend | Conservation Status |
---|---|---|---|
Europe | 5,000 – 25,000 pairs | Declining | Endangered in several countries |
North America | 120,000 – 300,000 pairs | Mostly stable | Sensitive/Species of Special Concern in some U.S. states |
Eurasia | Tens of thousands of pairs in Russia. Declining numbers in eastern Asia. | Declining in eastern Asia | Near Threatened in China and Japan |
In summary, while threatened and declining locally across significant parts of its range, the Northern Goshawk’s extensive boreal forest strongholds mean it is not currently considered globally rare or endangered as a species. Continued conservation action can help ensure healthy populations of this iconic forest raptor continue across its Holarctic range.