Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis (Linnaeus, 1758)

2021-01-30 lake Issyk-Kul	© Philippe Campeau

Biology

Rare breeding migrant and wintering bird. Inhabits the deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests on plains and in mountains up to 1500 m in Altai and 2300 m in Tien Shan. As it winters in many areas, the spring migration is not pronounced. In non-breeding areas observed in end February to mid-end April (Chokpak Pass, Pskem ridge); in northern regions from March to end May. Nest is built in coniferous or deciduous trees (pine, spruce or birch) at 5-10 m above the ground; nest is from twigs and is lined with dry grass and green twigs. Sometimes old nests of other birds are also used. Clutches of 2-4 eggs is in May - June. Female incubates for about 35 days from the laying of first egg; male feeds it and chicks. Juveniles begin fly in August at age of 50 days. Autumn migration begins in September in northern areas and in October in southern ones.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.