Northern goshawk facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Northern goshawk
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Accipiter
Species:	gentilis
Subspecies
Accipiter gentilis albidus Accipiter gentilis apache Accipiter gentilis arrigonii Accipiter gentilis atricapillus Accipiter gentilis buteoides Accipiter gentilis fujiyamae Accipiter gentilis gentilis Accipiter gentilis laingi Accipiter gentilis marginatus Accipiter gentilis schvedowi (eastern goshawk)
Where the Northern Goshawk lives:      Resident      Non-breeding

A Northern Goshawk

The northern goshawk (scientific name: Accipiter gentilis) is a medium-large raptor. Raptors are birds that hunt other animals for food. This bird belongs to the family Accipitridae, which includes many hawks and eagles.

Even though there are other types of goshawks, this one is often called "the" goshawk. This is because it lives in many places around the world. You can find it across most of Europe, Eurasia, and North America. Only the golden eagle might live in more places.

The goshawk is known as a "true hawk." Its scientific name, Accipiter, comes from Latin and means "hawk." In the Middle Ages, only important people like nobles were allowed to train goshawks for falconry. Falconry is the sport of hunting with trained birds of prey.

Northern goshawks usually stay in one area all year. However, those living in very cold places will migrate south for the winter. In North America, you might see them flying south along mountain ridges in the fall.

About the Northern Goshawk

What They Look Like

Northern goshawks are strong birds with broad, rounded wings and a long tail. Their tail helps them steer easily through forests. Adult goshawks usually have a blue-gray back and a lighter underside with fine stripes. They have bright red or orange eyes.

Young goshawks look different. They have brown backs and streaky brown chests. This helps them blend in with trees. Their eyes are usually yellow.

Where They Live

Goshawks prefer to live in large, old forests. They like areas with tall trees where they can hunt and build their nests. These forests can be found in many different climates, from cold northern regions to warmer, drier areas. They are very good at flying through dense woods.

What They Eat

Northern goshawks are skilled hunters. They mostly eat other birds and small mammals. They often surprise their prey by flying quickly through the trees.

Some of their favorite meals include pigeons, woodpeckers, and crows. They also hunt mammals like squirrels, rabbits, and even rats. Goshawks have very strong talons (claws) and a sharp beak to catch and eat their prey.

Life Cycle and Nesting

Goshawks build large nests high up in tall trees. They often use the same nest year after year, adding to it each time. Both parents help build the nest and care for the eggs.

The mother goshawk usually lays 2 to 4 eggs. She sits on the eggs to keep them warm until they hatch. This is called incubation. Once the chicks hatch, both parents work hard to feed them. The young birds grow quickly. They leave the nest when they are about 5 to 6 weeks old, but the parents continue to feed them for a while longer.

Images for kids

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  An adult goshawk in a pine tree in Arizona.

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  A young goshawk (left) and an adult.

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  A young goshawk flying.

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  An adult goshawk showing its striped feathers.

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  A large young Cooper's hawk, sometimes mistaken for a goshawk.

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  A typical adult goshawk from Germany.

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  An adult goshawk from America, showing its strong eyebrow stripe and red eyes.

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  A light-colored goshawk from Siberia.

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  Adult goshawks fly in special ways to show off their territory.

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  Goshawks are very good at hunting in forests.

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  A young goshawk starting to prepare its prey, a rock dove.

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  Goshawks often hunt birds, especially in Europe and Asia.

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  An adult goshawk on Corsica with a common wood pigeon it caught.

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  An illustration of a goshawk trying to catch a European rabbit.

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  Woodpeckers like northern flickers are often hunted by goshawks.

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  A young goshawk in Japan with a small bird it caught.

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  A goshawk hunting a brown rat in a city area.

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  A goshawk chasing an osprey, possibly to steal its food.

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  An illustration showing the goshawk's strong talons and beak.

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  Goshawks and American martens sometimes hunt the same animals.

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  Goshawk eggs from a collection at Museum Wiesbaden.

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  A large goshawk nest high in a birch tree in Norway.

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  A mother goshawk staying on her nest.

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  Young goshawks in their nest in Germany.

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  Two young goshawks from Pennsylvania after leaving the nest.

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  A young goshawk from Poland.

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  A goshawk owned by a falconer in Scotland.

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  An Iranian falconer with a trained goshawk.

See also

In Spanish: Accipiter gentilis para niños