Goshawk
Juvenile (left) and adult by Louis Agassiz Fuertes
Conservation status
Least Concern[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae Genus: Accipiter Species: A. gentilis
Binomial name
Accipiter gentilis (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Goshawk (pronounced /'ɡɔːshɔːk/, Accipiter gentilis; from OE. góshafoc 'goose-hawk') is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes other diurnal raptors, such as eagles, buzzards and harriers. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 643 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 955 pixel, file size: 227 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Faithful reproductions of two-dimensional original works cannot attract copyright in the U.S. according to the rule in Bridgeman Art Library v. ... Louis Agassiz Fuertes (1874 - 1927) was an American ornithologist and illustrator. ... The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future. ... Least Concern (LC) is an IUCN category assigned to extant species or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. ... Scientific classification redirects here. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... Families Accipitridae Pandionidae Falconidae Sagittariidae The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that include the diurnal birds of prey. ... Subfamilies Elaninae Perninae Milvinae Accipitrinae Buteoninae Aegypiinae Circinae Circaetinae The Accipitridae is one of the two main families within the order Falconiformes (the diurnal birds of prey). ... The genus Accipiter is a group of birds of prey in the family Accipitridae. ... Latin name redirects here. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Year 1758 (MDCCLVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Old English redirects here. ... Orders Accipitriformes     Cathartidae     Pandionidae     Accipitridae     Sagittariidae Falconiformes     Falconidae A bird of prey or raptor is a bird that hunts its food, especially one that preys on mammals or other birds. ... Subfamilies Elaninae Perninae Milvinae Accipitrinae Buteoninae Aegypiinae Circinae Circaetinae The Accipitridae is one of the two main families within the order Falconiformes (the diurnal birds of prey). ... Genera Several, see text. ... A buzzard is one of several large birds, but there are a number of meanings as detailed below. ... Genera Circus Geranospiza Polyboroides A Harrier is any of several species of diurnal birds of prey which fly low over meadows and marshes and hunt or harry small animals or birds (hence their common name). ...

It is a widespread species that inhabits the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere. In North America, it is called the Northern Goshawk. It is mainly resident, but birds from colder regions of north Asia and Canada migrate south for the winter. Northern hemisphere highlighted in yellow. ... North American redirects here. ... Species that periodically migrate are called migratory bird. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... Flock of Barnacle Geese during autumn migration Bird migration refers to the regular seasonal journeys undertaken by many species of birds. ...

This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 under its current scientific name.^[2] Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ...

The goshawk appears on the flag of the Azores. The archipelago of the Azores, Portugal takes its name from the Portuguese word for goshawk (açor), because those who first discovered the archipelago thought the was first discovered, the explorers thought the birds of prey they saw there were goshawks; later it was determined that these birds were in fact milvuses or a type of common buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi). The Flag of the Azores The flag of the Azores is similar to the flag of Portugal used from 1830-1910, except that the Portuguese coat of arms has been removed and been replaced by the eagle, the symbol of the Azores. ... Motto (Portuguese for Rather die free than in peace subjugated) Anthem  (national)  (local) Capital Ponta Delgada1 Angra do Heroísmo2 Horta3 Largest city Ponta Delgada Official languages Portuguese Government Autonomous region  -  President Carlos César Establishment  -  Settled 1439   -  Autonomy 1976  Area  -  Total 2,333 km² (n/a) 911 sq mi... Species - Black-eared Kite - Black Kite - Red Kite Milvus is a genus of medium-sized birds of prey. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) Dark green: All-year distribution Light green/blue: Breeding/winter range of Steppe Buzzard. ...

Juvenile in flight

Immature with fresh kill

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (2010 × 1340 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (2010 × 1340 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2560 × 1920 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2560 × 1920 pixel, file size: 2. ...

Appearance

The Goshawk is the largest member of the genus Accipiter^[3] . It is a raptor with short broad wings and a long tail, both adaptations to manoeuvring through trees in the forests it lives and nests in. The male is blue-grey above and barred grey below, 49-57 cm (19"-22") long with a 93-105 cm (37"-41") wingspan. The much larger female is 58-64 cm (23"-25") long with a 108-127 cm (42"-50") wingspan, slate grey above grey below. Males of the smaller races can weigh as little as 630 grams (1.4 pounds), whereas females of the larger races can weigh as much as 2 kg (4.4 lbs). The juvenile is brown above and barred brown below. The flight is a characteristic "five slow flaps – straight glide". The genus Accipiter is a group of birds of prey in the family Accipitridae. ...

In Eurasia, the male is sometimes confused with a female Sparrowhawk, but is larger, much bulkier and has relatively longer wings. In North America, juveniles are sometimes confused for the smaller Sharp-shinned Hawks and Cooper's Hawks, but the size again is a distinctive feature of the goshawk. For other uses, see Eurasia (disambiguation). ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) The Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards, harriers and other sparrowhawks. ... North American redirects here. ... Binomial name Vieillot, 1807 The Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) is a small hawk. ... Binomial name Accipiter cooperii (Bonaparte, 1828) The Coopers Hawk, Accipiter cooperii, is a medium-sized hawk. ...

Food and hunting

This species hunts birds and mammals in woodland, relying on its speed of flight through the dense forest as it flies from a perch or hedge-hops to catch its prey unaware. These are usually opportunistic predators, as are most raptors, but the most important prey species are birds, especially the ruffed grouse, columbiformes, and passerines (mostly pigeons and starlings). Other waterfowl, up to the size of mallard duck, are sometimes preyed on. Prey is often smaller than the hunting hawk, but these birds will also rarely kill much larger animals, up to the size of snowshoe hares and jack rabbits. For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) The Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus, is a medium-sized grouse occurring in forests across Canada and the Appalachian and northern United States including Alaska. ... Families Columbidae The bird order Columbiformes the includes the very widespread and successful doves and pigeons, classified in the family Columbidae, and the extinct Dodo and Rodrigues Solitaire, long classified as a second family Raphidae. ... Families Many, see text A passerine is a bird of the giant order Passeriformes. ... This article is about the Mallard duck. ... Binomial name Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777 The Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) is a species of hare found in North America. ... Genera Lepus Caprolagus Pronolagus Hares and Jackrabbits belong to family Leporidae, and mostly in genus Lepus. ...

Behavior

In the spring breeding season, the Goshawk has a spectacular roller coaster display, and this is the best time to see this secretive forest bird. At this time, the surprisingly gull-like call of this bird is sometimes heard. Adults return to their nesting territories by March or April and begin laying eggs in April or May. These territories almost include tracts of large, mature trees that the parent will nest in. The clutch size is usually 2 to 4, but anywhere from 1 to 5 eggs may be laid. The eggs average 59 x 45 mm (2.3 x 1.8 in) and weigh about 60 g (2.1 oz). The incubation period can range from 28 to 38 days. The young leave the nest after about 35 days and start trying to fly another 10 days later. The young may remain in their parents territory for up to a year of age. Adults defend their territories fiercely from everything, including passing humans, so even the eggs have few predators. Birds of any age may be attacked, rarely, by Bubo owls and large Buteo hawks, but these often cede to or are themselves killed by the aggressive goshawk. A typical roller coaster The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. ... “Seagull” redirects here. ... A bubo is a swelling of the lymph nodes, found in an infection such as bubonic plague, gonorrhea, tuberculosis or syphilis. ... For other uses, see Owl (disambiguation). ... A buzzard is a type of bird of prey, in any of several different but related senses: A medium-sized wide-ranging raptor with a robust body and broad wings. ... For other uses, see Hawk (disambiguation). ...

Status

In Britain the Goshawk became extinct in the 19th century because of specimen collectors and persecution by gamekeepers, but in recent years it has come back by immigration from Europe, escaped falconry birds, and deliberate releases. The main threat to goshawks internationally today is the clearing of forest habitat on which both they and their prey depend. A gamekeeper is a person who looks after an area of countryside to make sure there are enough (game)birds for shooting. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Flying a Saker Falcon A Goshawk A Hobby Falconry or hawking is an art or sport which involves the use of trained raptors (birds of prey) to hunt or pursue game for humans. ... This article is about a community of trees. ...

References

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Northern Goshawk Species Account - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Northern Goshawk - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
• Northern Goshawk Information - South Dakota Birds and Birding
• Environment Canada Goshawk page, including sound clip of Goshawk Call
• Read Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding Northern Goshawks
• Goshawk videos on the Internet Bird Collection
• Picture of Northern & European Goshawk chicks and other Accipiters
• Nature writer recounts goshawk pair's fierce defense of their nesting territory
• Identification guide (PDF) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta

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Accipiter gentilis