Eurasian Goshawk: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Hawks and Falcons · day 2 of 7

Five facts

1. Its scientific name gentilis means noble. In the Middle Ages, only nobles were allowed to hunt with goshawks.
2. The Azores islands are named after the Portuguese word for goshawk. Yet the birds the explorers saw there turned out to be kites or buzzards.
3. When calling from a perch, a goshawk slowly turns its head from side to side. This trick makes its voice hard to pin down, like a ventriloquist.
4. Chasing a flying bird, a goshawk can adjust its height so that it stays hidden behind its target's own tail.
5. Goshawks do not give up easily. They have been seen running on foot into thick brambles, and even into water, after their prey.

The quiz

1. What does the goshawk's scientific name gentilis mean?

• Fast
• Noble (correct)
• Grey
• Forest

Only nobles could fly goshawks in the Middle Ages, hence noble.

2. Which islands are named after the Portuguese word for goshawk?

• The Canary Islands
• Madeira
• The Falklands
• The Azores (correct)

Açor is Portuguese for goshawk, though the birds there were kites or buzzards.

3. Why does a calling goshawk turn its head slowly from side to side?

• It makes its voice hard to locate (correct)
• It is looking for water
• It is shaking off rain
• It is counting its chicks

The head-turning creates a ventriloquial effect.

4. How does a goshawk stay hidden while chasing a flying bird?

• It changes colour
• It flies only at night
• It flies inside clouds
• It stays behind the bird's tail (correct)

It adjusts its flight level so the prey cannot see it past its own tail.

5. What have goshawks been seen doing when chasing prey?

• Digging tunnels
• Dropping stones on it
• Running on foot into brambles and water (correct)
• Waiting for the prey to fall asleep

They will run into thickets and even water after prey.

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