Northern Goshawk

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Northern Goshawk

Northern Goshawk

Karen Laubenstein 2005
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The northern goshawk is a raptor found abundantly in Canada and the more mountainous regions of the United States.  It is rarely found very far south in latitude and then only in cold mountainous regions.  One of its cold weather adaptations is its densely feathered legs which help keep its feet warm.

It measures 18 – 26 inches long with a 38-46 inch wingspan.  It has a long broad tail and short wingspan relative to its body size, making it well adapted to flying and hunting in its dense forest habitat.  Its preferred hunting method is to wait in dense forest cover and ambush its prey which consists of mainly ducks, other birds, and small mammals.  It will kill and eat mammals as large as the snowshoe hare.

Additional Images:

Northern Goshawk

Cornell Lab of Ornithology: All About Birds
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References

Vanner, Micheal. The Complete Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Parragon Publishing, Bath, UK 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

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