Northern Goshawk is the powerful raptors of the northern forests. They are
also called as the largest North American accipiter. They range in size up to
a maximum length of 53-64 centimeters (21-25 inches) including a wingspan with
a length of 103-117 centimeters (41-46 inches) and weight up to 631-1364 grams.
Northern goshawks can generally be seen in various forest types, especially
mature forest. They have large hawks, broad rounded wings including a tail.
They have dark cap and stripe through eye with white eyebrow strip. Their back
is blue-grey in color and belly in gray color. Their wings are short but they
have a heavy body.
Usually female goshawks have large body in comparison to that of males. Some
Northern Goshawks migrate as far south as Maryland, northern Ohio, and the plains
east of the Rockies from the Dakotas to New Mexico for breeding. Their diet
includes large birds, squirrels, rabbits, hares and small animals. They sit
very silently to wait for their prey so that it becomes easier for them to catch.
Their nests are built in a shape of large bowl which includes thin sticks
lined with bark and greenery, placed in large tree. The Northern Goshawk occurs
even in fragmented forests, but perhaps less consistently than in large contiguous
forest areas. They appear to be increasing slightly in the East.
