S. Destefano et J. Mccloskey, DOES VEGETATION STRUCTURE LIMIT THE DISTRIBUTION OF NORTHERN GOSHAWKSIN THE OREGON COAST RANGES, The Journal of raptor research, 31(1), 1997, pp. 34-39
Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) breed in a variety of forested
areas throughout the Pacific Northwest. Nevertheless, they were only f
irst found breeding in the Coast Ranges of Oregon in 1995, despite app
arently suitable habitat and abundant prey. We document the rarity of
goshawks in the Coast Ranges by reviewing previous and current survey
results for nests of goshawks and other forest birds since the 1960s,
examining sightings of goshawks since 1980 and reporting on a survey w
e conducted in 1994. We suggest that nesting goshawks are rare in the
Coast Ranges because of the vegetative structure of the area and its i
nfluence on prey availability.