Eurasian Goshawk
Eurasian Goshawk Facts
| Size | 35-50 inches (89-127 cm) (wingspan) |
| Speed | 30-40 mph (48-64 km/h) |
| Weight | 1.6-2.5 pounds (760-1.150 grams) |
| Lifespan | 11 years |
| Food | Birds, small mammals |
| Predators | Owls, wolves, falcons, eagles, martens |
| Distribution | Europe, Asia, USA, North Africa, Russia |
| Habitat | Forests |
| Order | Accipitrids |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Scientific name | Astur gentilis |
| Characteristics | Medium-sized raptor, the "big brother" of the sparrowhawk |
Main Characteristics
The goshawk is the fourth most common bird of prey in Germany. It can be identified by its dark back and light underside adorned with dark stripes (barring). Its bright yellow or orange eyes and strong yellow legs are particularly striking. A bone above its eye gives it a stern, almost "evil" gaze. Nevertheless, it can easily be confused with other birds of prey.
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution
Goshawks are widely distributed. They inhabit Europe, Asia, the USA, North Africa, and Russia.
Habitat
Goshawks can be found in a variety of habitats. They primarily reside in coniferous forests, the taiga, and in mountainous regions. They prefer forests that provide shelter, cover, and ample prey. They only build their nests in trees that are at least 60 years old. In Germany, goshawks have also been spotted near urban areas, such as Berlin, Cologne, Saarbrücken, and Hamburg.
Lifestyle
The goshawk is a diurnal bird that lives in forests and roams them in search of prey. Once it finds a mate, it stays with them for life. It is highly territorial, meaning it defends its territory against other members of its species.
Anatomy and Appearance
Body Structure
Goshawks are powerful birds of prey with a wingspan ranging from 35-50 inches (89-127 cm). They possess a large, broad head. Their gaze may appear somewhat "menacing" due to a bony ridge above their eyes. The eyes are either yellow or orange. The legs are yellow and also quite strong.
Size
The females are larger and heavier than the males, which can lead to confusion with other birds of prey. A female goshawk is roughly the same size as a buzzard. Here’s a size comparison with other birds:
- Raven: up to 26 inches (67 cm)
- Female goshawk: up to 24 inches (63 cm)
- Buzzard: up to 22 inches (57 cm)
- Male goshawk: up to 20 inches (51 cm)
- Sparrowhawk: up to 16 inches (41 cm)
- Pigeon: up to 13 inches (34 cm)
Weight
Female goshawks typically weigh around 2.5 pounds (1,150 grams). The males average about 1.6 pounds (760 grams).
Plumage
Stone Gray Feathers
The feathers on the back and the upper side of the wings are stone gray, but can also be brown or dark brown. A distinctive stripe of white feathers is located above the eyes.
Dark Barring
The feathers on the chest and belly are white with numerous horizontal, dark brown stripes, known as barring. Young birds lack this barring and instead have spots or speckles on their bellies.
Long Tail Feathers
The tail feathers are long and rounded.
Goshawk or Sparrowhawk – What’s the Difference?
The sparrowhawk is often referred to as the "little brother" of the goshawk. Both have a barring on their chest, called barring. Particularly, the male goshawk can easily be mistaken for the sparrowhawk, as both birds are roughly the same size.
Differences
- Tail Feathers: In flight, the tail feathers of the goshawk appear rounded like a "brush," while those of the sparrowhawk look "cut straight across."
- Body: When flying, the goshawk's head protrudes significantly, whereas the sparrowhawk appears more "headless" with its smaller head.
- Legs: The goshawk has thick, strong legs, while the sparrowhawk's legs are slender.
- Eyes: The goshawk has a distinctive "grim" expression, while the sparrowhawk often looks "startled."
Pro Tip: If you see a bird at the garden's suet station, there’s a 95% chance it’s a sparrowhawk. The goshawk is more elusive and typically stays near forests.
Goshawk or Common Buzzard – What’s the Difference?
The female goshawk is similar in size and wingspan to the buzzard.
Differences
- Barring: The goshawk features distinct barring on its chest and belly, while the buzzard does not. Instead, it has irregular spots.
- Tail feathers: The goshawk possesses long tail feathers, whereas the buzzard has shorter ones.
- Behavior: The goshawk tends to attack quickly and unexpectedly from a hiding spot. In contrast, the buzzard circles above open fields in search of prey.
- Eyes: The goshawk has yellow eyes, while the buzzard's eyes are dark.
Pro Tip: If you spot a large raptor soaring calmly in circles, it’s almost always a buzzard. If you see a “shadow” darting swiftly between trees or hunting just above the ground, it’s a goshawk
When I travel by train, I love looking out the window and searching for raptors. However, the scenery passes by so quickly that I can never tell if I just saw a goshawk, buzzard, or sparrowhawk ;) Do you experience that, too?
Silke from animalfunfacts.net
Diet
The goshawk is a carnivore. In Germany, it often hunts doves. However, its "menu" is quite diverse. It feeds on small mammals and birds, such as rabbits, mice, squirrels, magpies, jays, blackbirds, thrushes, frogs, lizards, and insects.
Behavior
Hunting Tactics
The goshawk is a surprise hunter. It waits in hedges or trees before launching an extremely fast attack. It usually hunts close to the ground. Sometimes, it also hunts on foot, capturing animals like moles.
Call
When a goshawk is nearby, you often hear a sharp "gik, gik, gik". It makes this sound when it is excited or disturbed. Its call is especially common during the mating season from January to March.
Skills and Senses
Senses
Goshawks have an excellent sense of sight. However, their hearing and sense of smell are not particularly strong.
Aerial Artists
Goshawks are very skillful flyers. Their short, rounded feathers assist in making quick turns while hunting through dense forests. They flap their wings quickly and evenly. This flying pattern alternates with gliding, where they soar horizontally with their wings extended.
Life Expectancy
In the wild, goshawks typically live around 11 years—provided they survive the perilous first two years. In captivity, they can reach up to 27 years of age.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Natural predators include owls, wolves, falcons, eagles, and martens, which prey on the nestlings.
Human Impact
• Habitat Destruction
The most significant threat is habitat destruction. Increasing numbers of old forests are being cut down for logging purposes. However, these birds do not nest in forests with trees younger than 60 years.
• Pesticides
Goshawks are adversely affected by the use of pesticides (insecticides).
• Traps and Poison Baits
Another issue is the illegal trapping and killing of goshawks. These birds are particularly disliked by poultry breeders because they also prey on chickens and pigeons. Traps are often set up, or poison baits are laid out. This is a criminal offense and can result in up to five years in prison.
• Cutting Down Nest Trees
To drive away a goshawk, sometimes nest trees are even cut down. Alternatively, the birds are disturbed while nesting by “tapping.” This is also prohibited. Nests are protected year-round under the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
Tip: Keeping Hawks Away
There are simple and inexpensive tricks to keep goshawks at bay. Often, nets, reflective objects, and fluttering, colorful ribbons can be effective.
Importance to the Ecosystem
Goshawks primarily prey on sick and weak or young and inexperienced animals. In doing so, they help maintain the balance of nature.
Reproduction
Mating and Breeding Season
Goshawks begin to mate in winter, but at the latest by spring. The breeding season starts in mid-March and lasts until mid-April.
Nest and Eggs
The nest is built high up in large trees and can be used for several years. It is made from branches, leaves, and tree bark. The female lays four to five eggs.
Raising Young
The chicks hatch from the eggs after about a month. While the female protects the young, the male hunts for food. After 30-50 days, the young birds leave the nest. Many fledglings die from other predators in their first two years.
Fun Facts
Bird of the Year
The goshawk was Bird of the Year 2015 in Germany.
Confusion
The island group of the Azores was named after the goshawk (Portuguese: açores). Interestingly, there were never any goshawks there – the discoverers simply confused them with buzzards! Even the coat of arms features the "wrong" animal.
The Goshawk is related to:
- Common Buzzard
- Sparrowhawk
Other Animals in the Habitat:
- Blackbird
- Common Chaffinch
- Eurasian Jay
- European Brown Hare
- European Rabbit
- Grey Heron
- Long-Eared Owl
- Magpie
- Marten
- Microbat
- Mole
- Mouse
- Peacock Butterfly
- Red Fox
- Roe Deer
- Shrew
- Thrush
- Wolf
Sources:
- When hawks attack: animal-borne video studies of goshawk pursuit and prey-evasion strategies (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Dynamics of a goshawk population across half a century is driven by the variation of first-year survival (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
- Northern goshawk ecology: An assessment of current knowledge and information needs for conservation and management (https://research.fs.usda.gov)
- Population limitation in the Northern Goshawk in Europe: A review with case studies (https://www.researchgate.net)
