American Goshawk: Fearsome Forest Hawk

_{This YouTube video was produced by the American Bird Conservancy.}

The formidable American Goshawk (Astur atricapillus) is the largest of North America’s “forest hawks,” a subset of raptors which includes the closely related, but smaller, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks. It was split from the Northern Goshawk in 2024, along with its counterpart, the Eurasian Goshawk. Long-tailed with short, broad wings, this hawk is built for agile maneuvering while flying through dense undergrowth. As with other birds of prey, the female American Goshawk is larger than the male. An adult female “Gos” is almost as large and heavy as a Red-tailed Hawk!

This striking raptor has captured humans’ imaginations throughout the ages. Much like the Golden Eagle, the goshawk is revered across the world as a symbol of strength and power. Its hunting prowess made it a sought-after falconry bird throughout Europe and Asia. Japanese shoguns carried goshawks on their fists as status symbols, and the image of a goshawk once adorned the helmet of the mighty Attila the Hun!

In Europe, the closely related Eurasian Goshawk was once known as “the cook’s hawk” because it feeds on much of the same wild game that people prefer — grouse, ducks, rabbits, and hares — and was considered a valuable hunting partner. Unfortunately, many gamekeepers also saw goshawks as competition, which led to relentless (and illegal) persecution.

Also known as: Gibwaanesi (Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwe), Northern Goshawk, Azor Norteamericano

Learn more about the American Goshawk at abcbirds.org/bird/american-goshawk