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Quick answer
The northern goshawk (Astur gentilis) is a powerful forest hawk of boreal and temperate woods across the Northern Hemisphere, including Scotland, Scandinavia, Canada, and Russia. It ambushes birds and mammals among trees, weighs about 1.2 kg for large females, and is listed Least Concern — still sensitive to mature-forest loss.
Top questions about the Northern Goshawk
Northern Goshawk facts at a glance
- Weight 1.2 kg
- Length 55 cm
- Top speed 80 km/h
- Lifespan 10 years
| Scientific name | Astur gentilis |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore (birds and mammals) |
| Habitat | Mature forests and woodland |
| Lifespan | Around 10 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 1.2 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 80 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Astur |
Where it lives
The northern goshawk (Astur gentilis) is native to Boreal and temperate forests across the Northern Hemisphere including Scotland, Scandinavia, Canada, and Russia. — recorded across North America, Europe, Asia in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a northern goshawk?
An adult northern goshawk measures 55 cm long — about 32% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 1.2 kg, about 2% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of northern goshawks called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Northern Goshawks is called a cast.
Baby name
A baby Northern Goshawk is called an eyas.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Broad-winged forest assassin
Short, broad wings and a long tail give explosive acceleration through timber. Adults are grey with fine barring; juveniles are brown-streaked. Females are distinctly larger than males (reversed sexual size dimorphism).
Birds and mammals in cover
Prey includes pigeons, corvids, squirrels, rabbits, and gamebirds seized in surprise attacks from perches or low contour flights through woodland.
Circumpolar mature forests
Boreal and temperate forests across Europe, Asia, and North America — Scotland, Scandinavia, Canada, and Russia among strongholds. They favour stands with large trees for nesting.
Persecution and forestry
Least Concern globally, yet historically persecuted by gamekeepers in Europe, and clear-felling of nesting stands reduces local density. Legal protection and nest buffers help.
Explore the Northern Goshawk
Conservation status of the Northern Goshawk
The northern goshawk (Astur gentilis) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The northern goshawk (Astur gentilis) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Northern Goshawk
What is a baby goshawk called?
An eyas — the traditional falconry term for a nestling hawk — that is the usual English name for a young northern goshawk.
Why are female goshawks bigger?
Reversed sexual size dimorphism is common in hawks; larger females can take bigger prey and defend nests.
Do goshawks hunt in cities?
Occasionally in large parks with mature trees, but they are primarily woodland hunters.
Are northern goshawks rare in the UK?
They recolonised after past extinction as a breeding bird; numbers remain modest and often secretive.
What do northern goshawks eat?
Medium-sized birds and mammals — pigeons, crows, squirrels, rabbits, and similar prey.
What is a group of northern goshawks called?
A group of Northern Goshawks is called a cast.
What is a baby northern goshawk called?
A baby Northern Goshawk is called an eyas.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Northern Goshawk:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Astur gentilis.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Astur gentilis. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Astur gentilis. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Northern Goshawk. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
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