SMIT T, ZOUN PEF & COLIJN E (1991) Differences in causes of death between Goshawk Accipiter gentilis and Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus in 1975 - 1989. LIMOSA 64 (4): 137-142.

During 1975-89, post-mortem examinations were performed on 175 Goshawks and 325 Sparrowhawks found dead in The Netherlands. Intoxications are the main cause of death in Goshawks, followed by parasitic diseases and mechanical violence. Females were more often involved than males (table I), and juvenile and immature birds mOre than adults (table 2). Most deaths were recorded in spring, mainly as a result of an increase in intoxications (table 3). Concentrations of dead Goshawks were found in areas where (illegal) poisoning is common practice (particularly in the province of Drenthe) (fig. I). Mechanical violence (mainly window casualties) was the main cause of death in Sparrowhawks (table I). The sexratio in the material was skewed in favour of females (table 2), but no differentation was found in juvenile/ immature and adult birds (table 3). The majority of dead Sparrowhawks was recorded outside the breeding range and outside the breeding period, viz. in the densely populated western part of the country and during November through April (fig. 2, table 3). Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

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