northern goshawk

1. Nombre del ave
The common name of this bird is the Northern Goshawk. Its scientific (Latin) name is Accipiter gentilis.

2. Aspecto
The Northern Goshawk is a robust bird with a reputation for its fierce demeanor. Adult birds boast a bluish-gray coloration on their backs and wings, and a lighter, finely barred gray underbelly. They have bold, white streaks over their eyes giving them the avid predator appearance, and their eyes themselves are a striking red. Beak-wise, the Northern Goshawk bears a strong, hooked dark one, efficient for tearing flesh. An adult female Northern Goshawk tends to have a slightly different color pattern than males, veering more towards brown shades.

3. Tamaño
Northern Goshawks are relatively large birds, with an average length of 55-65 cm (22-26 inches), and boasting a wingspan of around 100–120 cm (40-47 inches). They exhibit sexual dimorphism with females being significantly larger, weighing between 1000-1650 grams compared to the males’ 600-1200 grams.

4. Hábitat y distribución
These birds make their home in the temperate forests of the Northern Hemisphere, spanning across North America, Europe, and Asia. They prefer mature forests, where their agile form allows them to navigate through densely packed trees while pursuing prey.

5. Datos de interés
Northern Goshawks are monogamous and are known to mate with the same partner for multiple years. Unlike most predators, goshawks display “human-like” characteristics and are known to grieve and show loyalty to their mates. In Medieval European culture, only the high-ranked individuals, like kings, were allowed to fly goshawks for falconry.

6. Dieta
Mostly carnivorous, the Northern Goshawk’s primarily feeds on a diet of birds (including corvids, woodpeckers, grouses, crows) and small mammals such as squirrels, rabbits, and hares. They are known for their aggressive hunting style and extremely high hunting success rates.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
Northern Goshawks are solitary birds except during the nesting season. They are known for their aggressive protective behavior, often attacking humans who venture too close to their nests. The Northern Goshawk has a distinctive and unnerving “ki-ki-ki-kik” call that it uses to declare its territory or when threatened.

8. Estado de conservación
According to the IUCN Red List, the Northern Goshawk is listed as of “Least Concern” although some decline has been noted due to habitat degradation.

9. Vida útil
In the wild, Northern Goshawks usually live up to 11 years on average, although birds up to 19 years old have been recorded. In captivity, with managed care, they can live up to over 20 years.

10. Notas adicionales
The Northern Goshawk plays a pivotal role in its ecosystem, acting as a top predator that helps to control populations of small mammals and birds. In some Native American cultures, the Northern goshawk is considered a messenger from the gods, and its appearance often foretells a significant event. In Swedish, it is referred to as “Duvhök” which translates to ‘dove hawk’. Their interactions with humans are mostly positive as the species play an important role in falconry.