Discover

Today
Animals
Explore
Archive
Search

Use it

Classroom
Resources
Field lab
Quiz
Saved

Trust

Methodology
Sources
Corrections
Accessibility
Contributors

Details

About
Contact
Privacy
Terms
Newsletter

Animal profile

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

AvesMature coniferous and mixed forest with closed canopy and open understoreyLeast Concern

Field profile

A powerful forest hawk, grey above and finely barred below, with a pale eyebrow and red eyes in adults. Short broad wings and a long tail let it accelerate and turn between trees. It hunts birds and mammals in fast, low pursuit and defends its nest aggressively.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-04-21

Northern Goshawk

The goshawk trades top speed for forest agility

Short, rounded wings and a long rudder-like tail make the goshawk slower in level flight than a falcon but far more manoeuvrable. It hunts by bursting from cover and threading between trunks, accepting frequent failure for surprise.

Read with evidence →

Northern Goshawk | Daily Animal Facts