Goshawk (Accipiter gentillis) the European goshawk is living in almost all the territory of Macedonia. The wing span could reach up to 80 cm. Females are bigger than the males and could easily seize a prey as big as a rabbit. They prey on different kinds of species from mammals, rodents and birds. The first year of their life the young birds have brown plumage, and after the moult they are grey. The Goshawks are monogamous birds. They spend the winter separated only to come back together during the spring and start the reproductive cycle all over again. The nest is located on a tall tree, very often near some creek or a river. The pair builds the nest together and they keep on repairing the old nest each year. Old nests sometimes reach the size as big as a storks or eagles nests.
In the middle of the nest there is a cup shaped leaves from an evergreen tree. The conifers give an excellent soft substrate for the eggs and a protection from lice. In the nest there are 2-4 white- blueish eggs, the number of eggs in a clutch depends on the food supply.
The goshawk has been prosecuted, shot at and poisoned from the poultry breeders and most often pigeon keepers. Nevertheless, the evolution made them slick and survive. Goshawks hunt by flying very closely to the ground and takes the prey by surprise.
Goshawks are ones of the most praised birds for falconry. In hands of a good falconer, the goshawk could be used for hunting hare, pheasant, duck, partridge etc. They disable their pray by using their powerful feet, the beak is used mostly for feeding and plucking feathers or fur.
During the winter, in search for food they could be seen near populated areas. It’s a solitary bird and till the next breeding season they are solitary. No matter the damages they do to the poultry and pigeon keepers the goshawk is our natural treasure and should be protected.
Activities
- Importing the first falcons for falconry
- Research of the genesis of the falcons in Macedonia in cooperation with IWC Ltd
- Participation at the London Falconry Festival
- Exposition of birds of prey
- Educational activities
- Establishment of center for rehabilitation for birds of prey
links
International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey
cic-wildlife.org | Falconry Serbia
falconry forum
International Falconry Forym
the modern apprentice | falconry
milenici | БАЗГП
sokolarstvo slovenija | sokolarstvo hrvatska
WELCOME
at the official web site of JARAK - Association for Protection and Conservation of Birds of Prey.
The Association for Protection and Conservation of Birds of Prey JARAK is a citizen association registered in 2005 under the Law on Citizens’ Associations of the Republic of Macedonia. The goal of JARAK is to conserve the wild birds of prey in the nature, their nests, to feed the birds of prey, as well as to observe them. One of the main aims of the Association is also the legislative regulation of the falconry in the Republic of Macedonia...
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