| For such a large hawk (being the state's largest Accipiter), the Northern Goshawk is remarkably secretive, and it seldom perches in the open. It is also a very rare bird at the southern edge of its range, though one or two are reported -- correctly or not -- in the state each year. However, because of the difficulty of separating immature Goshawks from immatures of Cooper's Hawk and Red-shouldered Hawk, it is likely that perhaps 25-50% of the reported Goshawks represent mis-identifications. And, because the birds are shy and always on the move -- hardly ever seen in the same area on the following days -- it is difficult to photograph or otherwise truly confirm sightings. Goshawks feed deep in coniferous or mixed forests, seldom being found around fields or other openings, nor rarely flying over open country. A few summertime sightings from higher elevations of the mountains suggest possible breeding, though no nesting has been confirmed in the state or in Virginia, though that state also has a few summer records.
In 2023, the American Ornithological Society split the former Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) into two species, one in North America and one in Eurasia. The North American one now has the names of American Goshawk and Accipiter atricapillus. In 2025, the AOS moved this species and the Cooper's Hawk out of the genus Accipiter to now Astur; so this species is currently named as Astur atricapillus. |