Northern Goshawk gets its time to shine

This is one raptor that I was very much looking forward to seeing at a photo shoot last month. I have never seen one in the wild so I was pretty excited to get an opportunity to photograph one, even if it is a captive animal.

Chronos was found in the wild and is blind in one eye so unable to hunt on its own. Now, Nature’s Educators, a non-profit, takes care of him and he serves as one of their ambassadors.

Northern Goshawk’s aren’t seen very often, preferring to stay well hidden in the coniferous forests of North America and Eurasia. A cousin of the Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, these guys are quite a bit bigger and considered more aggressive and fiercer.

They are known to sit silently and concealed, watching from above. When they spot their prey, they dive from on high, nabbing a meal in an instant. They are not picky about what they eat either willingly devouring everything from smaller birds and reptiles to squirrels and rabbits.

A Northern Goshawk (captive) stares intently at something of interest. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Northern Goshawk (captive) stares intently at something of interest. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Northern Goshawk (captive) keeps close watch. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Northern Goshawk (captive) keeps close watch. (© Tony’s Takes)

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