Hawks and eagles
Eurasian Goshawk
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Astur gentilis
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How to recognize it
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Males 46–63 cm long, females 58–69 cm
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Short, broad wings and a long tail; deep wingbeats followed by glides
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Adults — white eyebrow stripes, pale underparts with gray bars
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Juveniles — brown upperparts, white breast with vertical brown streaks
About the species
Slate-grey to brown above and pale underneath, the goshawk has dark bars across its chest and a long grey tail banded in black. A broad white stripe sits above each eye, nearly meeting its partner behind the head; adults often have orange eyes, while young goshawks have bright yellow eyes. Its upper plumage can look quite dark or much paler, but the barred underside remains clear.
Usually alone or in a pair, it keeps a territory and makes quick, low dashes through trees after prey, often launching from a perch. It is generally quiet outside courtship and nesting, when its calls include a rapid, high "kew-kew-kew"; males also bring food to females during courtship.
It uses both deciduous and coniferous woods, and in parts of central Europe also lives among small city woodlots and even isolated trees. Pigeons and corvids make up much of its prey, with squirrels and rabbits also taken. Most stay in the same region through the year, while those from colder northern areas move south for winter.
Where to find
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In Central European city centers with small woods or isolated trees, watch for the Eurasian Goshawk's sudden low rush after a feral pigeon among buildings.
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At a woodland edge beside a meadow, scan elevated perches for a still silhouette, then watch for a quick, low flight through cover.
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On a sunny, nearly windless day in early spring, look above the woodland canopy for courtship flights with high circling and swooping, undulating turns.
