American Goshawks

The American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus, formerly the Northern Goshawk) is considered a sensitive species by the US Forest Service and has been petitioned on two occasions for endangered species status. Many national forests utilize the goshawk as a management indicator species.

The Intermountain Bird Observatory has studied the American Goshawk off and on since the early 1990’s

We have contributed directly and consulted for a number of forest management plans in Idaho and elsewhere, and have published a number of peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Project Objectives

Ecology

a very large adult female goshawk perched on a branch with a forested background. Her mouth is open, aggressively calling — Adult female American Goshawk on territory, South Hills, Idaho

Advancing the core science for the species, focusing on the breeding and post-breeding ecologyIntermountain Bird Observatory

a stick nest covered in snow. A female goshawk's head and tail are barely visible over the rim of the nest — Adult female incubating eggs on a nest in an Aspen tree, South Hills

a dead groundsquirrel with eyes closed lays on the sticks of a goshawk nest — Beldings Ground Squirrel and avian prey remains emphasize the unusual diet of goshawks in the South Hills

Population Trends

Evaluating the population trends for the speciesIntermountain Bird Observatory

a dead goshawk chick laying on the forest floor with some white downy feathers plus darker brown juvenile plumage growing in — Dead nestling on ground below a nest. Likely predation by avian predator (Great Horned Owl?), South Hills, Idaho.

A closeup of a goshawk foot perched on a branch. The long sharp talons are visible, as well as a purple aluminum leg band — Purple color band Z3. Color bands are used to identify and track individuals from year to year, without requiring them to be re-trapped.

This individual was banded in the South Hills in 2012 and was found breeding in the Albion Mountains in 2014 and 2015.

Changing Forests

ATV trail directly beneath Northern Goshawk nest, Sublett Mountains, Idaho.

This nest tree in a Northern Goshawk territory was harvested for fire wood.

Evaluating the response of the species to changes occurring within the forest (e.g., increased anthropogenic disturbance, climate change, disease outbreaks, timber harvesting).Intermountain Bird Observatory