The goshawk is a true hawk species that resides in the forests of the northern hemisphere. A long tail and short, broad wings make these birds perfectly equipped to capture small prey. In contrast, the kestrel is a much smaller falcon (also inhabiting many areas of the northern hemisphere) who prefers open habitats and can successfully live in human environments.

What Is A Goshawk?

• Average Size: 48-62 cm
• Average Weight: Male: 600-1,110 g Female: 900-2,000 g
• Average Wingspan: 135-165 cm

Goshawks belong to the Accipiter genus, a “true hawk” species with broad, short wings and a long tail that combine to give them impressive aerial abilities. Northern goshawks are large birds of prey generally appearing in blue and brown shades of grey. Their chests and underside are white with dark barring patterns, though colors vary within particular subspecies.

Goshawks live in coniferous and mixed forests throughout temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere. They perch at mid-levels of trees where they can watch for prey before launching a speedy attack. Their streamlined bodies are perfectly adapted for weaving through trees and thickets at pace, making them effective predators of any creature smaller than themselves.

Goshawks are elusive birds commonly living in dense forest areas that are hard to spot. They will vocalize when close to their nest, but they are fiercely protective of this area and known to attack humans who get too close.

They form monogamous pairs and build nests close to a tree’s trunk, which they will reuse for several years. Each clutch contains two to four eggs, which the parents raise between March and June. Males hunt for food, while females guard the babies until they reach independence at the age of about three months.

These impressive birds may build up to eight nests in a single area to provide them with alternative options if a clutch fails. Sometimes they also add conifer needles, which contain chemicals called terpenes. And these chemicals are thought to act as natural fungicides and insecticides, helping to protect their brood.

What Is A Kestrel?

• Average Size: 34-38 cm
• Average Weight: Male: 155 g Female: 184 g
• Average Wingspan: 70-80 cm

Kestrels are the most common falcons in North America. These small birds are reddish-brown, with black and white head patterns plus mustache-like markings at the sides of their faces. Males have blue-gray-colored wings, while a female’s brown wings are a closer hue to the rest of their body. The wings are slim and pointed, allowing them to travel up to 39 mph.

Kestrels are abundant in the US and Canada, though some northern-based species will migrate south for the winter. They prefer the open countryside, like fields or woodland edges. You can find kestrels in various habitats, though they tend to avoid dense forests, vast wetlands, or mountains.

These birds have multiple hunting methods; sometimes, they use a direct approach, striking perched birds at high speeds. Alternatively, they might hover above potential prey, waiting for the perfect moment to drop down and swoop them up with their talons. Their primary diet includes mice and large insects, though they will also eat bats, smalls, frogs, birds, and earthworms.

Kestrels nest in tree holes created by flickers or even man-made boxes, where the female incubates her clutch for around 30 days. During this time, the male sources food and brings it back to the nest to nourish their brood of 4-6 eggs. After a month or so, the young birds will begin to fly, but they remain dependent on their parents until they can successfully hunt.

These birds may be small, but they are noisy and aggressive, with several adaptations that make them successful hunters. A superior sense of vision aids prey sourcing, while pointed beaks and sharp talons can capture, kill, and tear apart prey.

These birds are abundant across many parts of the northern hemisphere thanks to their bold personalities and the ability to adapt to human settlements. It’s not unusual to see kestrels nesting in buildings or hunting alongside busy roads.

Similarities Between Goshawks And Kestrels

• Goshawks and kestrels both inhabit vast areas of the Northern Hemisphere
• Some subspecies can possess similar coloration (such as grayish-brown plumage with dark patterns across the chest)
• Both may perch while they wait to catch prey
• They both have bodies adapted to their environments, making them incredibly successful hunters
• Both birds have keen eyesight, even in low-light levels
• They are both diurnal, meaning they hunt during the day
• Females are slightly larger than the males (roughly 25% larger) in both species
• Females look after their clutch while males hunt for food
• Both birds are fiercely protective of their nests and will attack anything that tries to enter their territory

Differences Between Goshawks And Kestrels

• Goshawks are hawks, while kestrels are falcons
• The goshawk has feathers around its legs, making them appear far bulkier than the spindly legs of the kestrel
• Generally, the color and patterns of these two birds are quite different; the goshawk is a deeper, more gray shade of brown with a highly contrasting black and white chest and belly. In comparison, the kestrel is a lighter shade of brown all over its body, with its wings and head being the main sources of different coloration
• They possess different body shapes; the goshawk is longer and more streamlined than the kestrel
• Kestrels are significantly small than goshawks; the latter being medium-large birds of prey
• Goshawks are elusive birds hiding in dense forests, while kestrels prefer open habitats and adapt well to human civilizations
• Both birds are good flyers, but the goshawk’s wings are adapted for fast flight around obstacles such as trees or thickets.
• Kestrels tend to lay more eggs (on average) per clutch than kestrels

Who Would Win In A Fight?

Both birds are impressive hunters and enjoy a carnivorous diet of small prey. But, if the two came head-to-head, the kestrel would struggle to overcome the larger size of the goshawk. Goshawks can weigh ten times as much as kestrels; even a small male would be significantly larger than some of the biggest female kestrels.

If the fight were in the open, the kestrel would have an environmental advantage, but it wouldn’t be enough to deter the goshawk, which can take down pretty much any prey it outsizes.

Summary

Once you know a little about the goshawk and the kestrel, it’s relatively simple to tell the difference between them.

If you see one of these birds in your town or city, it’s far more likely to be the confident kestrel who is happy to hunt on roadsides than the elusive goshawk. Your best chance of seeing the latter would be to enter the forest quietly and wait patiently near (but not too close) a nesting site.

References

7 goshawk facts you need to know | Discover Wildlife

Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) – British Birds – Woodland Trust

Northern Goshawk – Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio

Kestrel | Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (nhnature.org)

Kestrel Bird Facts | Falco sparverius – AZ Animals (a-z-animals.com)

American Kestrel | Audubon Field Guide