Conserving and restoring at risk species and ecosystems on the BC South Coast
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis atricapillus & laingi ssp.
A member of the family Accipitridae (often referred to as “forest hawks. There are two other members of the genus Accipiter in BC - Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawk. “Queen Charlotte” Goshawk (A. g. laingi). Some differences occur in size and plumage patterns between the island and mainland (atricapillus) form.
Northern Goshawk COSEWIC: Not listed BC List: Yellow / atricapillus ssp: COSEWIC: Not at Risk, BC List: Not listed / laingi ssp. : COSEWIC: Threatened, BC List: Red / Identified Wildlife
A large and long-legged hawk, this species has a long narrow tail and relatively short rounded wings, which allow it to move easily in the interior of forests. On adults the head has a black crown, white eyebrow streak and eyes are red. Adults typically have blue-grey dorsal plumage with grey barring on the chest and belly. Both sexes are similar, though as with other raptors the females are larger. Juveniles are very similar to the juveniles of other Accipiter species, with brown dorsal plumage and a dirty-white, heavily streaked belly and yellow eyes which change colour as the bird matures. The laingi subspecies is smaller and somewhat darker than the typical mainland (atricapillus) form. While island and mainland populations may overlap along some areas of the Coast Region, A.g. laingi is considered genetically distinct. Information about subspecies biology is derived from the species as a whole.
RESOURCES
For further information see:
A sources for authoritative conservation information on thousands of plants and animals and hundreds of ecological communities in BC.
A joint venture resource providing comprehensive information on a range of species and ecological communities specific to the Coast Region of BC (including the South, Central and North Coast, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii).
Environmental guidelines for urban and rural land development in BC.
Learn what species are at risk in your area, search by name, habitat type, regional district and forest district.
A volunteer-driven GIS-based biogeoclimatic atlas of the wildlife of BC.
Source for status, taxonomy, distribution and life history information for plants, animals and ecological communities in the US and Canada.
An initiative of the Province of BC to provide more explicit guidance and conservation on specific species and ecological communities of conservation concern that are impacted by forestry activities.
The source for news, information and documents related to species at risk, their status and conservation in Canada.
Up-to-date information on recovery planning and implementation for species in BC.
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