Scientific Name:   Accipiter atricapillus

Length:   20.9-25.2 in (53-64 cm)

Weight:   22.3-48.1 oz (631-1364 g)

Wingspan:   40.5-46.1 in (103-117 cm)

Nest:   The nest is in tree, often in deciduous tree in mixed forest, at a major crotch in the trunk. Height varies, commonly 25-50' above ground, sometimes 15-75' up. It is a platform of sticks, lined with finer material, including green foliage. It may be reused, with more material added each year, becoming quite large.

Eggs:   2-4, rarely 5. Bluish white, fading to white. Incubation is mostly by female, 32-38 days; male brings food to her.

Feeding Behavior:   Goshawks are stealthy predators that watch for prey on high perches and then attack with quick, agile flight, even through dense trees or cluttered understory. Hunt When prey is spotted, hawk attacks with a short flight, putting on a great burst of speed and often plunging through tangled branches and thickets in pursuit of quarry. Eating mostly birds and small mammals. Feeds on many medium-sized birds, such as grouse and crows; also many squirrels, rabbits, snowshoe hares. Also eats some small birds, small rodents, snakes, insects.

Young:   Female remains with young most of time at first; male brings food, and female feeds it to young. Adults (especially female) very bold in defense of nest, diving at intruders, including humans, and sometimes drawing blood. Age of young at first flight about 5-6 weeks.

Range:   Across much of their range they live mainly in coniferous forests, but they may occur in deciduous hardwood forest as well. Some may remain through winter in north woods, others (especially young birds) move south. Often more common as a breeding bird in mixed woods than in pure stands of coniferous trees.

Brief Description:   Adult goshawks are dark slate gray above with pale gray barred underparts. They have a dark head with a wide white stripe over the eye; the eye is orange to red. Immatures are brown and streaky, with narrow dark bands in the tail. They have an indistinct pale eyebrow stripe and yellow eyes.