General

Northern Goshawk: Large hawk with slate blue-gray to nearly black upperparts and very finely barred and streaked pale gray underparts. Head is dark with thick, white eyebrows and red eyes. Tail is paler gray with three or four dark bands. Sexes are similar, although female is usually larger. Juvenile is browner overall with bright yellow eyes.

Range and Habitat

Northern Goshawk: Found in much of the northern hemisphere, from near the timber line in the north to as far south as sub-tropical regions; northern birds migrate during winter. In North America, this species ranges from Alaska and northern Canada to northern California, along the Rocky Mountains, and east to the Mid-Atlantic states. Preferred habitats include dense coniferous and deciduous forests.

Breeding and Nesting

Northern Goshawk: Three or four brown spotted, white to blue eggs are laid in a nest made of dead twigs, lined with leafy green twigs, conifer needles, and pieces of bark, and built in a large tree. Incubation ranges from 36 to 41 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Northern Goshawk: Eats birds, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates: takes relatively large prey, weighing up to one-half as much as itself.

Vocalization

Northern Goshawk: Makes a harsh "ca-ca-ca." When perched, turns head from side to side, seemingly throwing its voice. Female gives a plaintive scream of recognition when male approaches nest.

Similar Species

Northern Goshawk: Juvenile Cooper's Hawk is much smaller with longer tail and less distinctly streaked underparts. Sharp-shinned Hawk is much smaller, with shorter, squared-off tail, and shorter head-neck profile that does not project as far when flying.