The northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is a large bird of prey that inhabits forests across the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Here is a quick overview of where this elusive raptor can be found:
North America
In North America, the northern goshawk inhabits forests across Canada, Alaska, and the northern parts of the continental United States. Its breeding range extends from Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland and south along mountain ranges to southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and New York.
Some key details on the northern goshawk’s distribution in North America:
- Breeds in forests across Alaska and Canada, including coastal rainforests in British Columbia and southeast Alaska.
- In the western United States, nests in mountain forests including the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, Rocky Mountains, and mountain ranges in the Southwest.
- In the eastern US, breeding populations are scattered in forested mountain areas including the Adirondacks, Catskills, northern Appalachians, and Black Hills of South Dakota.
- Winters across much of the northern goshawk’s breeding range but migrates south to winter in forested areas as far south as northern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and New Jersey.
Europe
Across Europe, the northern goshawk occupies mature forests from Fenno-Scandia to the Mediterranean. It can be found in the following regions:
- Throughout Scandinavia from northern Finland to central Sweden and Norway.
- In the British Isles in Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man.
- Across central Europe from France and Germany east to Russia and Belarus.
- Throughout southern Europe in mountain forests from Spain and Italy to Bulgaria and Greece.
In Europe, northern goshawks are mostly resident year-round throughout their breeding range but some seasonal movements may occur.
Asia
The northern goshawk occupies the boreal forests of Russia and the temperate forests of mainland Asia. Its Asian range includes:
- Russia from the European part across Siberia to Sakhalin Island and Kamchatka Peninsula.
- Mongolia and northern China.
- Northern India, especially in the Himalayas.
- Japan.
As in Europe, northern goshawks are generally year-round residents across their breeding range in Asia. But some seasonal altitudinal movements may occur in the Himalayas and southern China.
Habitat
Across its widespread range, the northern goshawk nests and hunts mainly in mature conifer, deciduous, and mixed forests. Key habitat features include:
- Mature or old-growth forests with relatively dense canopy cover.
- Open understory below the canopy for flying and hunting.
- Forest openings, edges, or clearings that provide hunting perches.
Specific forest types occupied include:
- Boreal forests in Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia.
- Coastal temperate rainforests in British Columbia, southeast Alaska, and northern California.
- Deciduous eastern forests in eastern North America.
- Coniferous mountain forests throughout its western North American and southern European range.
- Mixed conifer-hardwood forests across the northeastern US and southeastern Canada.
Territory size
Northern goshawks are highly territorial and maintain large home ranges year-round. Some estimates of average territory sizes include:
- Alaska – 12,700 acres (5,140 ha)
- Minnesota – 6,400 acres (2,590 ha)
- California – 4,700 acres (1,900 ha)
- New York – 3,800 acres (1,540 ha)
- Utah – 3,200 acres (1,295 ha)
Territories are smaller in areas with higher prey density. Males and females defend the territory year-round against intrusions from other goshawks.
Nest sites
Within their territories, northern goshawks establish nesting sites in large trees, typically 20-60 feet up. They often reuse the same nesting area year after year. Key facts about northern goshawk nests:
- Often placed below canopy on large horizontal branches or in a crotch between trunk and large branch.
- Tree species used varies across range but often includes pines, firs, spruces, aspens, and sometimes broadleaf trees.
- Nests are large, up to 60 inches across and 3 feet deep.
- Built out of sticks and lined with bark flakes, greenery, and sometimes feathers.
- Pairs may maintain alternate nests within territory.
Population and conservation
Global population estimates for the northern goshawk vary but generally range between 180,000 to 300,000 mature individuals. Some regional populations include:
- Alaska – 25,000 to 50,000 pairs
- Canada – 22,500 to 45,000 pairs
- Lower 48 US states – 20,000 to 40,000 pairs
- Europe – 19,000 to 38,000 pairs
While still widespread, northern goshawk numbers declined across portions of its range due to habitat loss and persecution. It is considered a species of least concern globally but endangered or threatened in some states. Conservation efforts focus on protecting mature forest habitats.
Prey species
Northern goshawks are fierce predators that hunt birds and mammals using speed and ambush tactics. Prey species include:
- Grouse – ruffed, spruce, blue, sharp-tailed
- Woodpeckers – pileated, downy, hairy, various species
- Jays – Steller’s, blue
- Doves – mourning
- Wood ducks
- Rabbits – snowshoe hare, eastern cottontail
- Squirrels – red, grey, fox, northern flying
- Hares
- Chipmunks
The northern goshawk’s powerful talons and large beak are adapted for killing and plucking sizable avian prey. It typically hunts from concealed perches within and along edges of forest openings.
Breeding
Northern goshawks begin breeding between April and June across their range. Key facts about their breeding ecology include:
- Monogamous pairs may mate for life and use the same territory across years.
- In courtship display, male performs dramatic dives, rolls, and loud calls.
- Females lay 1-5 pale bluish eggs over a few days in lined nest.
- Only female incubates eggs for about 35 days while male provides food.
- Hatchlings are altricial, covered in white down. Females brood and care for young.
- Young fledge at 35-42 days but remain near nest where parents provide food for several weeks.
Pairs may successfully raise 1-3 fledglings per year. Young reach sexual maturity at 2 years and may help provision nestlings before dispersing to establish their own territories.
Migration
Northern goshawks are generally year-round residents but some populations show seasonal movements or local altitudinal migrations. Details include:
- Most northern populations are non-migratory and remain on breeding grounds year-round.
- In northeastern North America, northern populations may migrate short distances south, mainly within forested regions.
- Some Rocky Mountain populations move downslope for winter.
- Eurasian populations living at higher altitudes in the Alps, Pyrenees, Turkey, and Himalayas migrate short distances downslope to winter.
Juveniles may disperse farther distances up to 500 km from natal territories before establishing breeding territories.
Taxonomy
The northern goshawk belongs to the following taxonomic classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Family: Accipitridae
- Genus: Accipiter
- Species: Accipiter gentilis
Three subspecies are recognized:
- A. g. gentilis – Northern Europe to eastern Siberia
- A. g. atricapillus – North America
- A. g. schvedowi – Russian Far East
Closely related species include the goshawk (A. excelsus) and crested goshawk (A. trivirgatus) in Asia and the grey goshawk (A. novaehollandiae) in Australia.
Interesting Facts
- The northern goshawk’s scientific name Accipiter gentilis means “noble hawk” in Latin.
- It is the largest bird of prey regularly found in northern forests, sometimes called a “flying crossbow” for its speed and lethal hunting abilities.
- Northern goshawks have long tails and rounded wings adapted for swift forest flight and agile maneuvering through trees.
- Females are up to 1/3 larger than males, one of the greatest size differences between sexes of any raptor species.
- Juveniles go through variable plumages before attaining adult coloration at about one year old.
- Northern goshawks were trained for falconry during medieval times and are depicted in heraldry of German nobility.
- Their populations declined from persecution and pesticide use but rebounded after DDT was banned.
- Goshawk presence is considered an indicator of mature, healthy forest ecosystems.
- Conservation status ranges from endangered in New Jersey to common and protected in Alaska where Native peoples traditionally hunted them for feathers.
- Aggressive territorial displays have earned them the nickname “phantom of the north woods.”
Conclusion
The northern goshawk is a formidable forest-dwelling raptor capable of tackling large avian prey. It occupies mature boreal, temperate, and mountain forest habitats across northern North America, Europe, and Asia. This secretive species maintains large breeding territories and nests in tree canopies. While northern goshawk populations declined historically, they rebounded with forest protection and now serve as an indicator of biodiverse, healthy forest ecosystems within their range.