POPULATION SIZE AOO EOO TREND
40 mature individuals - 2,200 km2
NORTH AFRICA REGIONAL ASSESSMENT: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR) C2a(i,ii); D (IUCN version 3.1) In North Africa this species has a small population size, with fewer than 40 mature individuals distributed in only one subpopulation. Sighting records from Morocco between 1985 and 2020 show the population in the region has potentially been in continuous decline for the last 21 years (3 generations). Threats such as forest destruc-tion, human disturbance and nest robbery are still ongoing and have a major impact on nest abandonment. The species is listed as Critically Endangered (CR C2a(i,ii); D) based on the small number of mature individuals, the distribution in a single subpopulation and the low probability of immigration from other subpopulations.
DISTRIBUTION
The northern goshawk is predominantly a wintering bird from Europe, and North Africa marks the southern limit of its distribution. An increasing population has been observed in Europe but it is a very rare and local breeder in northern Morocco, where its distribution has been reduced drastically since the 1980s (Thévenot et al., 2003;
Clark and Davies, 2018; Cuzin, 2019). Currently, the species seems to be confined to the Tangier region, in refor-estation forests of pines and Eucalyptus (Cuzin, 2019), but it used to inhabit forests up to ca. 2,000 m, mainly of oak (Quercus suber and Q. faginea) in the Rif (Maes, 1978), but it has nested in Pinus halepensis and mixed Atlas Cedar and oak forests in the Middle Atlas (Go-South, 2016). It is possible that breeding still occurs in northern Al-geria and Tunisia (Isenmann and Moali, 2000; Isenmann et al., 2005; Azafzaf et al., 2015), but there have been no recent observations. Migrant and wintering birds visit Egypt, along the River Nile and in the Red Sea Mountains (Clark and Davies, 2018), and eastern Libya (Isenmann et al., 2016; S. Buirzayqah, pers. obs.).
CR
© Manuel Talavera
POPULATION
Thévenot et al. (2003) estimated no more than 100 breeding pairs in Morocco in 1985, but Cuzin (2019) only found 6 breeding pairs. It is suspected there are no more than 30 mature individuals, but further validation of this estimate is needed. No data on the breeding population is available for Algeria and Tunisia, but the species is suspected to breed there but probably in smaller numbers than in Morocco. It is therefore calculated that the North African population could be around 20 breeding pairs (40 mature individuals). Under the assumption that the rate of decline in Algeria and Tunisia is similar to Morocco and has been constant over time since 1985, it is suspected that population decline in the last 21 years (3 generation lengths) has been around 69%.
HABITATS AND ECOLOGY
The species occurs in wooded hills and mountains, with wintering birds occurring in a variety of wooded habitats near open areas (Clark and Davies, 2018). The species' optimal habitat appears to be areas of farmland interspersed with mature forest, such that afforestation has improved its status across parts of its global range (del Hoyo et al., 1994). Soaring flight is used frequently (Snow and Perrins, 1998); and northern goshawks can be seen singly or in pairs (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001). In Libya, the species is observed from October to April (S. Buirzayqah, pers. obs.), while sightings during the migration period in Tunisia come from March to May (H. Azafzaf, pers. obs.).
Individuals prey on small to large birds and mammals (del Hoyo et al., 1994; Clark and Davies, 2018).
Northern goshawks build nests high in tall trees, usually in extensive forests (Clark and Davies, 2018), and breed from February to June (Thévenot et al., 2003). They used to breed in oak (Quercus suber and Q. faginea) forests in the Moroccan Rif (Maes, 1978) and in Pinus halepensis and mixed Atlas Cedar and oak forests in the Middle Atlas, also in Morocco (Go-South, 2016), but today it only uses pine and Eucalyptus forests (Cuzin, 2019). Two nests found by Maes (1978) were placed 10–12 m above the ground in Quercus faginea. Usually only three eggs are laid in Morocco (Maes, 1978; Go-south, 2016).
THREATS
The increase and spread of the human population is causing habitat destruction and disturbance especially in forests because of the use of wood as fuel for cooking and heating; felling trees to clear land for crops and pas-ture is an additional threat factor (Bergier, 1987; Stuart and Collar, 1988; Garrido et al., 2005; Vernon et al., 2005;
Cherkaoui et al., 2009). Forest destruction and human disturbance due to intense human use especially threatens tree-nesting raptors like the northern goshawk (Cuzin, 2019), leading them to abandon their breeding territories.
Habitat fragmentation results from forest fires and road construction as well.
Persecution continues to be a threat, as well as nest robbery for falconry (Orta and Marks, 2014; Brochet et al., 2016; Moroccan Strategy for Conservation of Birds of Prey Workshop, 2020, Rabat). The species is also
high-ly vulnerable to the impacts of wind farm developments (STRIX, 2012). The recent development of power lines is also a threat (Cuzin, 2019).
CONSERVATION
Conservation and research actions in place: CITES Appendix II. CMS Appen-dix II. In Morocco, the species is included in the preparation of a raptor conservation strategy (https://www.iucn.org/news/me-diterranean/202001/first-steps-towards- a-moroccan-strategy-raptor-conservation- iucns-guidance).
© IUCN
Distribution range of the Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis - (Linnaeus, 1758) in North Africa. Source: The IUCN Red List of the breeding birds of prey of North Africa.
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Endemic Conservation and research actions needed: Wide-scale habitat conservation measures are required, in-cluding the maintenance of low-intensity farming with the preservation of hedges and a reduction in pesticide use. Appropriate management of woodlands should maintain old trees, prevent fires and limit road construction.
Any unavoidable afforestation or deforestation should occur outside the breeding season and should only result in partial habitat change. Population monitoring should be conducted to provide data about the population size and trend and to determine, protect and manage breeding sites and key migration areas. In view of the multiple threats, monitoring of the North African population is crucial to track how it is being affected. Research is also needed on the impact of certain specific threats (e.g. trade), and can be used to help develop an action plan.
More broadly, awareness of biodiversity conservation should be increased.
Assessor(s): Rousselon, K., Cherkaoui, I., Bergier, P., Azafzaf, H., Haitham, O., Chokri, M.A., Buirzayqah, S., Riad, A. & Monti, F.
Reviewer(s): Garrido López, J.R. & Qninba, A.
Contributor(s): Gyenge, P., Bakass, B. & BirdLife International Date: 2020–09–07