Eurasian Goshawk

Astur gentilis

Genus · True Goshawks and Allies Family · Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
Observation tips Difficulty: HARD
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Forest deciduous

Best seen on sunny mornings in late February or March. Watch for them soaring briefly over the forest during courtship. Look for the massive, broad-based tail.

Eurasian Goshawk

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan90–125 cm
Weight517–2200 g
Length48–62 cm
Lifespan wild7–19 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typePlatform
Clutch size2–4 eggs
Incubation35–42 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationResident
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Carnivore

🦅Birds
🐭Mammals

Habitat

🌲 Forest coniferous🌳 Forest deciduous🌲🌳 Forest mixed
✦ Fun Fact

In medieval falconry, the Goshawk was called the 'cook's hawk'. It was very efficient at catching a wide variety of game for the table.

About

The Eurasian Goshawk is a powerful forest predator. It has short, broad wings and a long tail designed for high-speed chases through trees. It has a fierce expression with a prominent white 'eyebrow' and orange or red eyes. It lives in deep woodlands across much of Europe. It is a secretive bird and avoids human contact whenever possible.

Behaviour

Goshawks are ambush hunters. They take prey ranging from pigeons to squirrels and hares. They are incredibly agile and weave through branches with ease. In early spring, pairs perform 'sky-dance' displays over the forest canopy. They are highly protective of their nests and may dive-bomb humans who get too close.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Smaller than the female. It has blue-grey upperparts and fine grey barring on the white underparts. The orange-red eye color is more intense in older males.

♀ Female

Significantly larger and more powerful. Her upperparts are generally browner or slate-grey. The barring on her breast is coarser than the male's.

Similar species

Eurasian Sparrowhawk
🐦
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus
Common Buzzard
🐦
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
European Honey Buzzard
🐦
European Honey Buzzard
Pernis apivorus
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