Response Statement - Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies

December 18, 2013

Common Name: Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies
Scientific Name: Accipiter gentilis laingi

Status assessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC): Threatened

How the Minister of the Environment intends to respond to the assessment: The above assessment confirms the classification of the Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies which is already on Schedule 1, the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. This species will thus remain on the List as Threatened and activities will continue to be undertaken in a manner consistent with the purposes of, and according to the timelines identified in, the Species at Risk Act.

Reason(s) for status designation provided by COSEWIC: Over half of the global range of this subspecies occurs in coastal British Columbia, where it favours mature coniferous forest. This non-migratory bird needs a relatively large home range that contains a good food supply. Despite some recent habitat protection efforts, continuing habitat loss is predicted, in part because of anticipated short rotation times in forest harvest. On Haida Gwaii, populations are very low and face an added risk from declines of prey species due to forest understory losses associated with high levels of browsing from an introduced population of deer.

Occurrence: British Columbia

Competent Minister(s):
Minister of Environment
Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency

Other applicable legislation:  When the species is found within national parks of Canada or other lands administered by the Parks Canada Agency, it is protected or managed under the Canada National Parks Act or through measures or management tools available to the Parks Canada Agency under other legislation.

Conservation activities underway: The recovery strategy for the Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies is in development.