American Goshawk Photo Gallery
Adult
Large, bulky raptor with a slate gray cap and white eyebrow. The belly is finely barred in gray. Note red eye.
© Robert Post / Macaulay LibraryColorado, January 15, 2021Adult
Adult has dark head, bold white eyebrow, underparts with fine gray barring, and conspicuous white undertail coverts.
© Frank King / Macaulay LibraryNewfoundland and Labrador, June 10, 2020Adult
American Goshawk is vocal and fiercely defensive around the nest.
© Dan J. MacNeal / Macaulay LibraryOntarioNot all videos have soundJuvenile
Juvenile is brownish overall with a brown crown, streaky belly and speckled back. Note the white eyebrow and yellow eye. Most frequently found in mature forests.
© Daniel Jauvin / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, March 17, 2019Juvenile
Juvenile is speckled brown above with narrow banding on the tail. Note pale eyebrow.
© Nicole Watson / Macaulay LibraryOntario, November 28, 2015Immature
An immature goshawk "mantling" over a recently killed jackrabbit. American Goshawks eat a wider range of prey than other accipiters, including birds, mammals, and reptiles.
© Ryan O'Donnell / Macaulay LibraryUtah, November 24, 2018Not all videos have soundAdult
Adult appears light below when soaring. Note broad wings and long dark tail contrasting with white undertail coverts.
© Anonymous / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, March 18, 2020Juvenile
In flight note long tail and broad, rounded wings. Juvenile is brown and streaky, with narrow dark bands in the tail.
© Jerry Liguori / Macaulay LibraryUtah, September 21, 2007Adult
Flying style is similar to most accipiters with stiff and powerful wingbeats. While soaring, goshawks can resemble buteos, but their long tail separates them from buteos.
© Eric Liner / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 02, 2007Not all videos have soundAdult
Stocky raptor with a barrel chest and a long, rounded tail and broad wings. Adult in flight looks pale below with a dark tail and fluffy white undertail coverts.
© Lev Frid / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, October 30, 2016Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Hawks, Eagles, and Kites(Order: Accipitriformes, Family: Accipitridae)
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