# 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! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** They live in forests and wooded areas across North America. - **Also known as:** Accipiter Goshawk, Forest Hawk ![American Goshawk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Northern_Goshawk_139_%2824944225498%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Gillfoto from Juneau, Alaska, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Goshawk_139_%2824944225498%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Falconiformes - **Family:** Falconidae - **Genus:** Falco ## 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 - **Forest Acrobat:** American Goshawk's short wings and long tail allow it to weave through dense forests at high speed, surprising prey. - **Stealth Hunter:** American Goshawk can appear suddenly from dense cover because of its silent flight, ambushing unsuspecting prey. - **Eagle Eyes:** American Goshawk has super sharp vision that helps it spot tiny prey movements from far away in the forest. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snowshoe-hare) (*Lepus americanus*) — A primary mammal prey species in its forest habitat. - **Hunts:** [Dusky Grouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dusky-grouse) (*Dendragapus obscurus*) — A common bird prey, especially in coniferous forests. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Will sometimes prey on young goshawks in the nest. - **Hunts:** [Black-billed Magpie](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-billed-magpie) (*Pica pica*) — Often preys on these noisy birds where their ranges overlap. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Goshawk? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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. ## Where to spot - [Sawtooth Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sawtooth-botanical-garden) — Idaho, US · Botanical Garden - [Craig Lake State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/craig-lake-state-park) — Michigan, US · State Park ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [American Goshawk: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-goshawk)