Accipiter gentilis is a widespread resident across most of Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global range. Its European breeding population is large (>160,000 pairs), and increased substantially between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in several countries during 1990-2000, these were more than compensated for by positive trends elsewhere-notably in the Russian stronghold-and the species underwent a moderate increase overall.
Widespread across Europe apart from England, Ireland and parts of central France. Germany has between 15000-30000 pairs. Russian population 70000-100000 Turkish population 100-1000.
Relatively abundant and widespread in Nearctic and Holarctic; population trends are difficult to determine; no hard evidence of a significant decline in recent decades, but probably declining in some areas primarily as a result of habitat alteration (especially logging), which can be expected to continue; effectiveness of forest management guidelines in providing adequate protection remains to be determined.

During winter the species inhabits a fragmented landscape of forests, clearcuts, wetlands and agricultural lands. Whereas non-forested habitats is only used if large patches of forest are not available.
During breeding both heavily forested with high density of large trees with high canopy; and relatively open habitats both in upland and lowland.

Usually one clutch produced per year, from late April through early May. Clutch is typically two to four eggs, rarely one to five. Eggs are laid every two to three days and incubation usually begins after the second egg is laid. Incubation, conducted principally by the female, takes 28-38 days, hence hatching is asynchronous.
Brooding and feeding of nestlings is performed principally by the female, the male brings food to the nest. The young begin flying at 35-42 days and become independent at about 70 days after hatching. The Goshawk maintains one up to eight alternate nests within a nest area. The next pair is an average three kilometers apart.

Forages during short flights and with brief prey searches from perches. Also hunts by flying along forest edges, across openings, and through dense vegetation in fast gear. The Goshaek, preys on a wide variety of vertebrates and, occasionally, insects. Prey is taken on the ground, in vegetation, or in the air. Dominant prey include tree anf ground squirrels, ground squirrels, and rabbits. Preys also on birds like grouse, crows, woodpeckers and passerines. During the nesting season, the diet can vary with prey availability. For example, as more fledgling passerines become available, they make up a greater portion of the diet.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km2. It has a large global population estimated to be 1,000,000-10,000,000 individuals (Ferguson-Lees et al. 2001). Global population trends have not been quantified, but populations appear to be stable (Ferguson-Lees et al. 2001) so the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e., declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Mainly sedentary; partially migratory in northernmost populations of North America, Fenno-Scandia and Russia. Scale and extent of movements dictated by cycles of prey abundance in Arctic regions. Irruptions occur roughly every decade in North America, with birds reaching South USA and North Mexico. In Fenno-Scandia, movements far less extensive, not normally involving more than a few hundred kilometers. Migrants leave N areas mainly in October-November, returning to breeding zones in March-April.

article number 1 Title
Site-specific variation in partial brood loss in northern goshawks
Author(s): Byholm, P. 2005
Abstract: While many studies have shown that patterns of partial brood loss often differ with offspring sex, food availability or between years, the question of whether family-size adjustment varies between sit..[more]..
Source: Ann. Zool. Fennici 42: 81-90
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article number 2 Title
Ecology of the Northern Goshawk in Fennoscandia
Author(s): R., Korpimäki, E. & Byholm, P. 2006
Abstract: Delayed density-dependent mortality induced by delayed numerical response of predators can drive prey populations to fluctuate in high-amplitude cycles. We studied numerical response of goshawks Accip..[more]..
Source: Studies in Avian Biology 31:141-157, 326-369
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article number 3 Title
Age-dependent diet choice in an avian top predator
Author(s): Christian Rutz, Mark J. Whittingham and Ian Newton
Abstract: Age-dependent breeding performance is arguably one of the best-documented phenomena in ornithology. The existence of age-related trends has major implications for life-history theory, but the proxima..[more]..
Source: Proc. R. Soc. B (2006) 273, 579-586
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article number 4 Title
Home range size, habitat use, activity patterns and hunting behaviour of urban-breeding Northern Goshawks Accipiter gentilis
Author(s): Rutz C.
Abstract: The Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis typically prefers woodland habitat for nesting and hunting. In recent decades, however, the species has started colonising urban environments across Europe. Her..[more]..
Source: ARDEA 94 (2): 185-202.
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article number 5 Title
Age at first breeding and fitness in goshawk Accipiter gentilis
Author(s): OLIVER KRÜGER
Abstract: Age at first breeding has a large influence on fitness and hence is crucial to the evolution of life-history strategies. Goshawks Accipiter gentilis start breeding aged 1-4 years. Using 30 years of da..[more]..
Source: Journal of Animal Ecology 74 (2), 266-273
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article number 6 Title
Northern Goshawk Diet During the Nesting Season in Southeast Alaska
Author(s): STEPHEN B. LEWIS et al
Abstract: Northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis; hereafter, goshawks) occur throughout forests of North America and have received much attention as a target species for management (Reynolds et al. 1992, Iver..[more]..
Source: JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 70(4):1151-1160; 2006
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