A medium-sized hawk, grey above and white striped or streaked with grey below, a black crown, pale eyebrow and dramatic black stripe from eye to neck. Eyes are red (adults only).
While there are many goshawk species, the Northern goshawk is known simply as the goshawk through its range. It has widespread distribution in temperate regions of Europe and North America.
In falconry, the goshawk was strictly reserved for nobility during the Middle Ages in Europe. In Japan, goshawks were used to catch geese and cranes.
