goshawk
Bird Profile: Goshawk
1. Bird Name
English Name: Goshawk
Scientific Name: Accipiter gentilis
2. Appearance
The majestic Goshawk is characterized by its dark grey upper body, contrasted by a lighter grey chest and underparts which are barred with a fine, dusky streak, giving it an elegant mottled effect. Its eyes are a striking reddish-orange to red color, the powerful hooked beak is yellow with a black tip, while the strong legs are yellow too. The bird’s feather texture is smooth and glossy. A key trait of the Goshawk is the white stripe over its eye called a ‘super cilium’. The males are smaller compared to females, but coloration is similar in both sexes.
3. Size
Goshawks are large, robust birds with an average length of 55 cm (22 inches) for males and 63 cm (25 inches) for females. The wingspan can range between 100-130 cm (39-51 inches). On average, males weigh between 0.6–1.1 kg and females, being larger, weigh between 0.9–2.2 kg.
4. Habitat & Distribution
Found across North America, Europe, and Asia, Goshawks prefer large, contiguous areas of mature, mixed deciduous-coniferous forests. They have also been observed in wetlands, savannas, and riparian woodlands.
5. Interesting Facts
Despite being formidable predators, goshawks are notorious for their explosive, zig-zag flight pattern when navigating through dense forests. Their large home range often overlaps with that of other Goshawk pairs, leading to territorial disputes. Goshawks are also well-known for their fierce protectiveness towards their nests, even daring to assault humans who venture too close!
6. Diet
An apex predator, the Goshawk has varied dietary habits. It feeds on a range of prey, including small mammals like squirrels and rabbits, and birds ranging from small songbirds to sizable grouses and crows. Primarily a sit-and-wait predator, it delivers a swift, deadly strike after a brief, high-speed chase.
7. Behavior & Sounds
Goshawks are solitary and secretive, becoming vocal only during the breeding period. Their distinctive call is a piercing, rapid-fire “kek-kek-kek” often heard at dawn and dusk. They engage in complex aerial displays while courting, including sky-dancing, undulating flights, and mock attacks on potential mates.
8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Goshawk is classified as “Least Concern”, primarily due to its extensive range and stable population. However, loss of habitat due to deforestation remains a pressing concern for this species.
9. Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Goshawk in the wild is about 10-12 years, although some individuals have been known to live up to 18 years.
10. Additional Notes
In German, the Goshawk is known as “Habicht”, directly translating as ‘seize bird’. Historically, they have been popular in falconry due to their keen hunting skills and their use in this sport has been documented through millennia – from Attila the Hun to Mary, Queen of Scots. As top predators, they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance in the ecosystems they inhabit, their presence often a sign of a healthy forest environment.
