Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

Urban History

Northern Goshawks in North America are noted to be shy and human-averse, although goshawks have colonized many large cities in Europe—over 100 pairs nest in Berlin. It will be interesting to see whether a similar trend eventually emerges here.

Northern goshawk sightings in the Seattle area are rare, and this species is not known to breed here. We know of nine photographed sightings since 2005, most recently in June 2022.

• 6/16/2022—Adult photographed in a densely wooded neighborhood near Sand Point, Seattle, where it remained for several days.
• 12/12/2018—Adult photographed in Discovery Park, Seattle. It was observed to be very ill and was taken to the Seattle Animal Shelter, where it died.
• 11/16/2018—Adult photographed in the East Hill section of Kent, just south of Seattle. The observer also reported that he was missing one chicken.
• 12/9/2017—Juvenile hit a window in Lake Forest Park, just north of Seattle and about 12 miles south of Mill Creek (perhaps the same bird as on 12/3/2017?). The bird was so stunned that the homeowners were able to pick it up without being shredded (photo). It slowly recovered and flew off.
• 12/3/2017 —Juvenile photographed on a crow kill in Mill Creek.