This species is the largest of the three accipiters in North America. Adult: Slate gray or brownish-gray above, with darker primaries and dark bands on the tail. The breast and belly are marked with very fine gray barring and fine black streaks. The undertail coverts are white with a few streaks. The blackish crown and eye stripe are separated by a bold white supercilium. Adults have red eyes. In flight, appears barrel-chested, with longer, more pointed wings than other accipiters, and a broader, wedge-shaped tail. Juvenile: Brown above, with a pale bar across the greater wing coverts. Although the face is not as strongly patterned as on adults, young birds still show a strong white supercilium. The eye is yellow. Whitish underparts are strongly streaked with brown. Unlike young Cooper’s Hawks, the streaking on a young Goshawk extends throughout the breast and belly, and onto the undertail coverts. Uneven tail bands form a zig-zag pattern.

Length: 48 (cm) Wingspan: 102 (cm)

Voice:

A loud keh-keh-keh-keh-keh-keh-keh given near the nest.

Habitat:

A wide variety of woodland habitats.

Behavior:

Aggressively defends nest site from all intruders.

Feeding:

Captures squirrels, rabbits, hares, large passerines, jays, and grouse. Will actively pursue prey through dense brush.