Eurasian goshawk

Astur gentilis

Size: Wingspan 1–1.3 m · 0.6–2.2 kg
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Sociality: Pair
Lifespan: —

Eurasian goshawk is a powerful forest hawk that pursues birds and mammals through trees at high speed. Although a forest raptor, it increasingly breeds near some towns and suburbs.

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Key facts

Eurasian goshawk (Astur gentilis) is a carnivore animal classified as Bird · Accipitriformes · Accipitridae.
Primary habitats are forest · mountains, with a range across Palearctic · Nearctic.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is pair, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
Eurasian goshawk is a powerful forest hawk that pursues birds and mammals through trees at high speed.
It inhabits forests, mountain woods, and edges across Eurasia and North America, also hunting in openings.

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It inhabits forests, mountain woods, and edges across Eurasia and North America, also hunting in openings. Main habitat types in this guide are forest, mountain.

Appearance

Typical wingspan 98-127 cm, weight 600 g-2.2 kg. Broad wings, a long tail, gray upperparts, and fine barred underparts are typical.

Behavior

It is diurnal and often seen in pairs. It flies low through woodland and accelerates suddenly after prey.

Feeding

It is carnivorous. Pigeons, corvids, gamebirds, squirrels, and hares are common prey.

Reproduction

Pairs build stick nests in large trees and defend nesting territories.

Notes

Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. Although a forest raptor, it increasingly breeds near some towns and suburbs.