The species is mainly resident, but its northernmost populations in Scandinavia and Russia migrate south between September and November, returning in March and April (Snow and Perrins 1998, Squires et al. 2020). Soaring flight is used frequently (Snow and Perrins 1998). It is always seen singly or in pairs (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). It inhabits mature woodland, preferring areas near clearings and the forest edge. Small birds and mammals make up the vast majority of its diet. Nests are built on the forks or branches of large trees and are made of sticks, lined with twigs and fresh leaves. Clutches are usually two to four (Squires et al. 2020).

This species breeds across the European part of the Mediterranean, east into Turkey and into Syria. There is also a tiny breeding population in northern Morocco (Garrido et al. 2021).

Conservation Actions Underway
Bern Convention Appendix II. CITES Appendix II. CMS Appendix II. Subspecies A. g. arrigonii is listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. The species benefits from natural and managed reforestation, for example in Ukraine, it is expanding southwards in plantations (Squires et al. 2020).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Restrictions on hunting and nest robbing should be implemented and enforced where they are lacking. Important areas of optimal habitat, consisting of farmland interspersed with mature forest should be preserved (Squires et al. 2020). A particular conservation effort may be required for the species' tiny breeding population remaining in North Africa (see Garrido et al. 2021).