25 Facts About Northern goshawk

Northern goshawk is a species of medium-large raptor in the family Accipitridae, a family which includes other extant diurnal raptors, such as eagles, buzzards and harriers.

The northern goshawk is the only species in the genus Accipiter found in both Eurasia and North America.

The northern goshawk can be found at almost any altitude, but recently is typically found at high elevations due to a paucity of extensive forests remaining in lowlands across much of its range.

Northern goshawk has relatively short, broad wings and a long tail, typical for Accipiter species and common to raptors that require maneuverability within forest habitats.

The juvenile northern goshawk is usually a solid to mildly streaky brown above, with many variations in underside color from nearly pure white to almost entirely overlaid with broad dark cinnamon-brown striping.

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In Eurasia, the smaller male Northern goshawk is sometimes confused with a female sparrowhawk, but is still notably larger, much bulkier and has relatively longer wings, which are more pointed and less boxy.

The Northern goshawk sometimes seems to have a shorter tail relative to its much broader body.

Northern goshawk appears to have diversified in northern, central Eurasia and spread both westwards to occupy Europe and, later on, eastwards to spread into North America across the Bering Land Bridge.

Northern goshawk is in some parts of its range considered a specialized predator of gamebirds, particularly grouse.

However, even where these are primary food sources, the northern goshawk is less specialized than many and can alternate their food selection, often taking equal or greater numbers of tree squirrels and woodland birds.

However, studies have indicated that the Northern goshawk has, beyond its superior speed and agility, has stronger feet and a more forceful attack than that of the red-tailed hawk.

The northern goshawk is one of the most dangerous species to other raptors, especially to those considerably smaller than itself.

Many types of owl are taken and in Europe, the northern goshawk is the second most prolific predator of owls behind the Eurasian eagle owl.

Unlike the predators at the top of the avian food chain such as eagles and the largest owls, which are rarely endangered by predation as adults, the northern goshawk is itself susceptible to a fairly extensive range of predators.

In one case, a Northern goshawk that was ambushed and killed at a kill by a mangy vixen fox was able to lethally slash the windpipe of the fox, which apparently died moments after partially consuming the Northern goshawk.

One young Northern goshawk managed to escape a red fox that had caught it with a chewed wing, only to drown in a nearby creek.

Northern goshawk is one of the most extensively studied raptors in terms of its breeding habits.

The northern goshawk has a reputation as the most aggressive American raptor when the vicinity of their nest is approached.

The Northern goshawk is found in considerable numbers in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, which is the largest forest in Britain.

In North America, the Northern goshawk is federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 by an amendment incorporating native birds of prey into the Act in 1972.

The northern goshawk is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Northern goshawk appears on the flag and coat of arms of the Azores.

Name "Northern goshawk" is a traditional name from Anglo-Saxon goshafoc, literally "goose hawk".

The northern goshawk has remained equal to the peregrine falcon in its stature and popularity in modern falconry.

The Northern goshawk's flight in pursuit of prey is characterized by an intense burst of speed often followed by a binding maneuver, where the Northern goshawk, if the prey is a bird, inverts and seizes the prey from below.

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