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American Goshawk
ExploreBirds
American Goshawk
astur atricapillus
The American Goshawk is a powerful bird of prey known for its speed and agility. With its striking gray feathers and piercing yellow eyes, it's a master at hunting in forests!
Habitat: They live in forests and wooded areas across North America.
Appearance
The American Goshawk has a slate-gray back, a finely barred white underside, and a distinctive dark head with a bold white brow. Its piercing red or orange eyes and short, broad wings, combined with a long tail, make it visually adapted for weaving through dense forest canopies.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderFalconiformesFamilyFalconidaeGenusFalco
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Female goshawks are often much larger and more powerful than the males!
Goshawks build giant stick nests high in trees, often adding to them each year.
Goshawks can turn their head almost 270 degrees to spot prey, staying perfectly still.
Their piercing red eyes may help them see prey clearly, even in dim light!
Special abilities
Ability
Forest Acrobat
American Goshawk's short wings and long tail allow it to weave through dense forests at high speed, surprising prey.
Ability
Stealth Hunter
American Goshawk can appear suddenly from dense cover because of its silent flight, ambushing unsuspecting prey.
Ability
Eagle Eyes
American Goshawk has super sharp vision that helps it spot tiny prey movements from far away in the forest.
Ability
Iron Grip
American Goshawk has incredibly strong, sharp talons that help it capture and hold onto swift, struggling prey.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 46-64 cm
- Wingspan
- 98-124 cm
- Weight
- 0.7-1.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 11-15 years
- Top Speed
- 70 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 2-4
- Incubation
- 28-32 days
- Migration Distance
- 2000 km
Diet & Feeding
This fierce hunter primarily eats other birds and small mammals, catching them with incredible speed!
Primary Foods
- Jays
- Grouse
- Snowshoe Hare
- Squirrels
- Woodpeckers
- Rabbits
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
Snowshoe Hare
Lepus americanus
A primary mammal prey species in its forest habitat.
hunts
Dusky Grouse
Dendragapus obscurus
A common bird prey, especially in coniferous forests.
eaten by
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Will sometimes prey on young goshawks in the nest.
hunts
Black-billed Magpie
Pica pica
Often preys on these noisy birds where their ranges overlap.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
Accipiter GoshawkForest Hawk
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is American Goshawk?
46-64 cm
What is American Goshawk's wingspan?
98-124 cm
How much does American Goshawk weigh?
0.7-1.5 kg
How long does American Goshawk live?
11-15 years
How fast can American Goshawk move?
70 km/h
What does American Goshawk eat?
This fierce hunter primarily eats other birds and small mammals, catching them with incredible speed!
Where is American Goshawk usually found?
They live in forests and wooded areas across North America.
How does American Goshawk hunt?
Ambush
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