Northern Goshawk

General Description

The largest of the three North American accipiters and a resident of the Old World, the adult Goshawk is solid gray above, with finely barred, lighter gray below. It has a distinctive white bar over its red eyes. The juvenile is mottled-brown above with brown and buff streaking below. The juvenile has light lines over its eyes, which are yellow. The goshawk's tail is long, but wider than those of the other accipiters; this is the best way to distinguish a Goshawk from a Cooper's Hawk. The juvenile's tail is more darkly banded than that of the adult. The Goshawk is similar in shape to the Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawk, with short round wings, and a long narrow tail.

Northern Goshawks are Rare in Western Washington year round.

Habitat

Northern Goshawks inhabit mature coniferous forests, often on moderate slopes, especially at mid- to high elevations. They are often found along the forest edge, and will use mixed coniferous and deciduous forests as well.

Behavior

This aggressive predator is built to move quickly and quietly. It approaches its prey stealthily, moving unnoticed through dense cover, until it is close enough to overcome its prey in mid-air with a burst of speed, or drop out of a tree and swoop down on ground-dwelling prey. Northern Goshawks also hunt in open areas. The goshawk takes its prize to a perch and plucks the feathers or hair.