Observations of Northern Goshawk Prey Delivery Behavior in SouthCentral Wyoming

Abstract

We observed prey deliveries by northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) in southcentral Wyoming during the breeding seasons of 1996 and 1997. Female goshawks brooded and fed young, delivered prey, defended young, and maintained nest structures while males delivered prey and defended young. Females tended to be aggressive toward males after prey deliveries. Males delivered prey directly to nests during the nestling stage when females were absent. Males and females continued to deliver prey to nests during the fledgling stage, often being intercepted by the young on their way to nests. Males and females made 71 and 29 percent of deliveries to nests, respectively. Red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) were the prey item delivered most often.