The goshawk is a predatory bird of prey, belonging to the hawk family. And the eagles. Its main food, like other birds of prey, is some mammals.
The goshawk is considered capable of flying at high speeds and hunting effectively. Goshawk species are diverse around the world, and they live in various environments, including deserts, forests, and mountainous areas. The goshawk is distinguished by its strong muscles and strong sense of sight, which helps it detect its prey and chase it successfully
In this article in TekeTrek Website, we will introduce you to the most important information related to this object. Follow along with us.
Goshawk specifications
The goshawk has a distinctive appearance that is easily recognizable. Here’s a description of what a goshawk looks like:
- Body:
The goshawk has a strong, compact body, which enables it to fly at high speeds and hunt effectively.
It is distinguished by its broad chest and long, pointed wings.
It also has long, strong feet with sharp yellow claws, and the size of a goshawk is approximately equivalent to the size of a hawk.
- Head and beak:
The goshawk has a relatively large head with a sharp, strong yellow or black beak, which helps it capture and tear apart prey.
The goshawk is characterized by sharp, yellow eyes that give it good vision for pursuing prey.
- Feathers:
The feathers are usually white and contain a horizontal pattern that ranges in shades of grey, brown, or black.
The feathers on the body and wings are strong and wavy to help it fly.
- Tail:
The tail is short and straight, usually divided into a rectangular shape with a blunt tip.
- Size:
Goshawks range in size from small to medium, with their lengths usually ranging from 30 to 60 centimeters, and their wings can range from 132 to 165 centimeters.
types of goshawks
- Red goshawk:
It is characterized by having a short, wide red tail, wings covered with brown feathers, and a belly covered with white feathers. It is endemic and found abundantly in the forests of North America.
- White goshawk:
It is characterized by having a short black tail, and on the tips of its wings there are black bands, and the rest of its body is covered with white feathers.
This species lives and is endemic in southern Mexico and the forests of South America in Brazil, Peru and Colombia.
- Black goshawk:
It is completely black in color but has one white spot on its tail.
It is considered the only animal that does not know migration, as it dies and lives within its habitat.
It is endemic to Mexico and the forests of South America in Brazil, Peru and northern Argentina.
- Cooper’s goshawk:
This animal is characterized by its preference for isolation, as it only appears at mating time, and when it hunts its prey, it relies on the element of surprise to be able to pounce on it.
It is endemic to southern Canada and northern Mexico
Where does the goshawk live?
- Goshawks can be seen in large areas, forests, and some rural areas.
- A portion of it is also found in southern Canada and northern Mexico.
- The red-tailed goshawk lives in North America and can adapt to its surroundings easily.
- The goshawk can be found in mountainous plains and humid tropical areas.
- Goshawks have been found in places such as Central America, the West Indies, and Jamaica.
What does a goshawk eat?
- The goshawk is a carnivorous bird, as its diet consists of a group of foods consisting of a group of prey, including small mammals, reptiles, insects, and birds as well. It also diversifies its food according to the season or time of year.
- But his favorite food is rodents, rabbits, mice, snakes and bats as well.
Reproduction in goshawks
Goshawk reproduction follows a specific pattern that includes several steps. Here is an overview:
- Mating season:
Adult goshawks must find a suitable partner during the mating season, which varies depending on the geographical area and surrounding conditions.
- Marriage ceremony:
The goshawk usually performs certain ceremonies that include air shows, joint flying, and the exchange of food gifts between the spouses.
- Nest building:
The couple builds a joint nest in a suitable location, which may be on the top of the mountains, on high rocks, or even in trees.
- Egg laying:
– After building the nest, the female lays eggs in the nest, and her eggs are usually multiple, as their number can range from 2 to 4 eggs.
- The incubation period:
The female and male participate in the incubation period, as they take turns hatching and heating the eggs for a period usually ranging from approximately 30 to 45 days until the eggs hatch.
- Caring for the young:
After hatching, the female and male take care of caring for and feeding the young, as they continue to nourish and protect the young until they are able to fly and rely on themselves.
The breeding season and breeding behavior vary between different species of goshawks depending on the surrounding conditions, environment and biological factors.
Amazing facts and information about the goshawk
- The goshawk has an excellent sense of sight that helps it see its prey from long distances. It has large eyes that provide it with good vision of small objects even from a high altitude.
- The goshawk has a tremendous flight speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour during fast flight to chase its prey.
- The goshawk can fly at high altitudes that may reach more than 3,000 meters above the ground.
- The goshawk is considered one of the most ferocious birds in hunting, as it targets its prey with great precision and uses its strong claws and sharp beak to attack.
- He is classified as the prince of the air due to his noble behavior, awesome flight, and beautiful appearance.
- The goshawk does not have a nose, but rather breathes through its nostrils.
- When a goshawk hunts alongside its wife, they exchange prey. They throw it away and then come down and pick it up.
- The goshawk hunts its prey at dawn or at dusk, aided by its strong sense of sight.
- Did you know that the largest species of goshawks are the size of eagles, and the smallest are the size of robins?
- The goshawk greatly prefers solitude, so it maintains its level flight away from the ground and from any nearby animals.
- The most threatening animal to goshawks is mountain cats, as they eat these birds when they are young.
FAQ
- What is the difference between a goshawk and a hawk?
The term goshawk is sometimes used to refer to a falcon, which is a completely different bird from the goshawk, as the falcon belongs to the Falconidae family, while the goshawk belongs to the Falconidae family.
- What color is a goshawk?
Their bodies are covered with tough feathers; While the fingers remain bare, some of them have beautiful feathers; But it is rarely bright; Most of them are gray, brown, or yellow orange in color
- How fast is a goshawk?
The hawk can reach speeds of up to 200 miles (322 kilometers).
- Why is it called a goshawk?
The name goshawk is of English origin, “goose hawk”, which denotes predation of birds.
- Is A goshawk rare?
Yes, the hawk is endangered, it was killed by gamekeepers and egg collectors, and currently its number does not exceed 430 pairs.
- Are goshawks intelligent?
The Northern Goshawk takes hunting very seriously. They are intelligent and cautious as they swoop to dig their talons into their prey.
In the end, we must note the importance of the presence of these birds, which feed on many animals and mammals, as they contribute to the balance of the ecosystem
