Territory / Location

Goshawks are widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, in Europe, Russia, North America & Canada. They are strictly woodland birds. Once primarily living in deciduous forests, they are now adapting to the extensive man-made conifer plantations, where game-breeding is rare. The population both in the UK & the US appears to be on the decline. In the US they are classified as a "Species Of Federal Concern".

Habitat

Goshawks are birds of wild forests and tend to occur in large tracts. Across much of their range they live mainly in coniferous forests, but they may occur in deciduous hardwood forest as well.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Diet

Goshawks flash through forests chasing bird and mammal prey, pouncing silently or crashing feet first through brush to grab quarry. Goshawks eat a wider range of prey than other accipiter's, including birds, mammals, and reptiles, as well as insects and occasionally carrion.

Size / Weight

Nesting

Goshawks nest in mature and old-growth forests with more than 60% closed canopy. Goshawks often build nests near breaks in the canopy, such as a forest trail, jeep road, or opening created by a downed tree, and prefer sites with a creek, pond, or lake nearby. Clutch size 2-5 eggs.

Life Expectancy

10 years in the wild

18 years oldest recorded in the wild

Scientific 
Classification

KINGDOM

Animalia

PHYLUM

Chordata

CLASS

Aves

ORDER

Accipitriformes

FAMILY

Accipitridae

GENUS

Accipiter

SPECIES

A. gentilis

Did you know?

Goshawks are widespread but uncommon, and their secretive nature makes it hard to estimate population trends.