Taxonomy/Description

Northern Goshawks are member of the order Accipitriformes, which groups it with most other diurnal birds of prey.  The Northern Goshawk is the largest of the North American accipiters, and is frequently used in falconry. The name Goshawk comes from a shortened version of “Goose Hawk.” This hawk is 50 – 65 cm long (20-26”) with a wingspan of 98 – 115 cm long (39-45”)., weighing approximately 631g for a small male to 1,364g for a large female (22-48 oz.). The Northern Goshawk’s back is grey colored and underside white with fine bars that can be found all the way down to its rounded wing tips. This bird is often identifiable by the white stripe running the length of the otherwise black head and by its large red eyes.

Habitat/Diet

The Northern Goshawk is found throughout North America, and is permanent resident here in Western New York. This hawk is also found in Europe and Asia in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is not found in the Southern Hemisphere at all. The Goshawk lives in coniferous and deciduous forests, particularly in mountain and at forest edges. The Goshawk generally hunts small to moderately sized mammals such as rabbits and squirrels, in addition to large birds such as geese, and medium sized birds such as the Mourning Dove. The Goshawk feeds primarily on birds during the summer, with a particular fondness for American Robins, and consumes more mammals in the winter.

Behavior/Reproduction  

The Northern Goshawk can be admired for its tenacity for the hunt. The Goshawk will stalk prey for up to an hour before striking. The hawks will either surprise prey from concealed positions or fly up behind prey, gliding in to stealthily capture prey in its powerful talons. The Goshawks will not allow brush or water to get in the way of the capture, and will frequently crash through the brush to make the capture.

Northern Goshawks mate once yearly and the female will attract a male mate using complex flight and calling patterns from near the nest. The two will then form a monogamous pair bond and both will take care of the nest and young. Two to three eggs will typically be laid, and it will take around 32 days before the first egg will hatch. Hatching of the young does not happen at the same time, and the young still need parental care after hatching. The birds will cache food in preparation for the feeding of the young. Young can leave the nest after approximately 35 days, but do not become fully independent until about 70 days post-hatching.

Where to see them in WNY

These birds can be seen in wooded areas and the best place to see these birds is in Allegany State Park where they frequently nest and may be seen year round.