# Northern Goshawk (*Astur gentilis*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Boreal and temperate forests across the Northern Hemisphere including Scotland, Scandinavia, Canada, and Russia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/goshawk/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Accipitriformes
- **Family:** Accipitridae
- **Genus:** Astur

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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) |

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### 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.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/goshawk/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.