Oh My Goshawk! (Video) - NatureOutside

Photo by Steve Garvie wikipedia.org (CC BY-SA 2.0)

In the United States we have the Northern Goshawk. It is a bigger, fiercer relative of the Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks. These accipiters prowl dense forests, chasing birds and mammals through the trees.

Goshawks fly stealthily, with wingbeats interspersed with short glides. When they spot prey, Goshawks pounce feet-first using their powerful talons to crush their meal.

But how do Goshawks fly through tight spaces between trees without injuring themselves? This impressive video shows you how.

We tend to think of football players as athletic. We forget that the natural world is full of incredible athletes.

Here are 5 fun facts about Goshawks from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

The name goshawk comes from the Old English word for “goose hawk,” a reference to this raptor’s habit of preying on birds. Falconers have trained goshawks for more than 2,000 years; the birds were once called “cook’s hawk” for their success at snaring meat for the pot.

Like all accipiters, Northern Goshawks display “reversed sexual size dimorphism”—females are up to 25% heavier than males. The size difference means that between them, pair members can feed on a wider range of prey. When nesting, the larger female warms the eggs while the male is responsible for bringing food.

Northern Goshawk pairs build and maintain up to eight alternate nests within their nesting area. Even with options available, they may use the same nest year after year, or may switch to a new nest after a brood fails. Pairs may add fresh conifer needles to the nest during breeding. Aromatic chemicals (terpenes) in the needles may act as a natural insecticide and fungicide.

The Northern Goshawk is well known for its fierce defense of its nest. It commonly attacks people and other animals that approach the nest too closely.