Why is the Northern Goshawk endangered?

The Northern Goshawk is a medium-sized raptor found across the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. This apex predator has faced population declines throughout much of its range due to habitat loss, persecution, and other threats, leading to it being listed as endangered or a species of concern in many areas.

What is the Northern Goshawk?

The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is a type of accipiter, a genus of short-winged hawks. It is the largest accipiter in North America and Europe. Adults have slate-gray upperparts and barred underparts, with a white eye stripe and long tail with dark bands. The female is significantly larger than the male. Northern Goshawks are fierce predators that prey on other birds, small mammals, and reptiles. They are extremely adept hunters that can maneuver through dense forests at high speeds.

Where is the Northern Goshawk found?

The Northern Goshawk has a circumpolar distribution, found in forested areas across much of Canada, Alaska, the contiguous United States, Europe, and Asia. In North America, its breeding range extends from Alaska across Canada and south through higher elevation mountain forests in the western United States. Parts of its range include:

• Alaska and Canada
• The western United States including the Rocky Mountains, Cascades, and Sierra Nevada Mountains
• The northern Great Lakes region
• New England and the Appalachian Mountains
• Parts of Europe including Scandinavia, Central Europe, and the United Kingdom
• Asia including Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan

Northern Goshawks are strongly associated with contiguous mature conifer and mixed deciduous-conifer forests, which provide nesting habitat and foraging cover.

Why is the Northern Goshawk endangered?

The Northern Goshawk is listed as endangered, threatened, or a species of special concern in many parts of its range due to declining populations. Some of the major reasons this species is at risk include:

• Habitat loss and fragmentation – Northern Goshawks require large areas of mature forest and are highly sensitive to deforestation and habitat fragmentation from logging, land clearing, and development.
• Persecution – Northern Goshawks have been heavily persecuted by poultry farmers and game managers since they will prey on domestic fowl and game birds. Intentional and unintentional poisoning and trapping has contributed to declines.
• Climate change – Climate shifts may impact Northern Goshawk habitat and prey distributions, putting stress on populations.
• Disturbance – Northern Goshawks need undisturbed nesting habitat during the breeding season. Human activities near nest sites can cause nest abandonment.
• Small population sizes – Some isolated populations have declines due to factors like inbreeding depression and loss of genetic diversity.

Northern Goshawk Status by Region

Here is a summary of the conservation status of the Northern Goshawk in different parts of its range:

Major Threats to Northern Goshawks

Some of the major ongoing threats facing Northern Goshawk populations include:

Habitat Loss

Northern Goshawks are highly sensitive to deforestation, logging, and habitat fragmentation within their breeding and foraging habitat. Timber harvesting that alters forest structure, removes old-growth stands, and fragments habitat has been detrimental. For example, between the 1950s-1990s, over 50% of old-growth forests were logged in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S., contributing to Goshawk declines.

Climate Change

Climate change may impact Northern Goshawk habitat and prey availability. Modeling suggests the suitable climatic conditions for Northern Goshawks in western North America may shift northward and to higher elevations due to warming temperatures. Drier conditions could increase risk of forest fires and insect outbreaks which alter habitat. Prey distributions may also shift as the climate changes.

Persecution

Northern Goshawks were heavily trapped and poisoned in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by poultry farmers and game managers. Though illegal, persecution remains a threat today. For example, between 2007-2014, 35% of known Goshawk nest area territories in north Wales experienced persecution.

Conservation Actions

Various conservation actions are underway to help recover struggling Northern Goshawk populations and restore sustainable numbers, including:

• Habitat protection – Designating protected areas and reserves to conserve intact mature and old-growth forest ecosystems.
• Nest site protections – Creating buffer zones and managing human activity near known nest sites during breeding season.
• Replanting and sustainable forestry – Replanting logged areas with native tree species and implementing sustainable logging practices to maintain habitat.
• Monitoring populations – Conducting surveys to track population trends in order to focus conservation efforts.
• Research – Studying impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and other threats on Northern Goshawks to guide management.
• Outreach – Educating landowners, foresters, farmers, and the public about protecting Northern Goshawks.

Conclusion

In summary, the Northern Goshawk is an impressive forest raptor that has declined across significant portions of its range. Habitat loss, climate change, persecution, and disturbance have contributed to population drops resulting in the species being listed as threatened or endangered in many regions. Ongoing conservation initiatives aim to protect remaining mature forest habitat, reduce disruptive human activities near nest sites, and build awareness of Northern Goshawks to support the recovery of this iconic species. Targeted management efforts and maintaining habitat connectivity will be key to ensuring sustainable populations into the future.