Details
Accipiter gentilis
A powerful forest hawk of the Northern Hemisphere, using short rounded wings and a long tail to chase birds and mammals through trees.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Found in mature conifer, deciduous, mixed, and mountain forests, with edges and openings used for hunting.
Adults show blue-gray upperparts, a pale eyebrow, and finely barred underparts. Females are much larger than males.
It flies rapidly through woodland, ambushing prey from perches or low flight. Breeding adults defend the nest area strongly.
Pigeons, crows, gamebirds, squirrels, hares, and other prey are taken, with main prey varying by region.
Large stick nests are built high in trees, often in repeatedly used forest stands. Young continue receiving food after fledging.
Globally low-risk; mature forest structure, prey availability, and persecution influence local density.
