The African goshawk is an African species of bird of prey in the genus Aerospiza. It was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter. The African goshawk was previously sometimes split with the red-chested goshawk of west Africa treated as a separate species.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from East and Southern Africa west to parts of Central Africa, favoring evergreen and riverine forests, wooded ravines, and mature woodland mosaics. It readily uses forest edges and plantations and can persist in well-treed suburbs and parks. The species is generally sedentary, with local movements following prey and seasonal resources. It avoids open grasslands and true deserts but can traverse gaps to reach wooded patches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A forest-dwelling raptor of sub-Saharan Africa, the African goshawk is a stealthy ambush hunter that slips through dense canopy with short bursts of rapid wingbeats. It was long placed in Accipiter and is closely related to the red-chested goshawk of West Africa, which some authorities have treated as a separate species. Pairs often duet with ringing whistles during courtship and territorial displays.
A juvenile with a grey go-away-bird
Adult calling in flight, Angola
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides through canopy
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in territorial pairs. Pairs perform display flights and vocal duets, especially at the start of the breeding season. Nests are platform structures placed high in trees, where 1–3 eggs are laid and both sexes contribute to territory defense.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, ringing whistles and piping notes, often given in accelerating or repeated sequences. Duets between mates are common, with alternating phrases that carry well through forest.
Plumage
Adults are dark grey above with a finely barred tail and rufous to chestnut barring across the underparts; the throat is paler with fine streaking. Juveniles are browner above with coarse streaking below and less rufous tones. Underwings show pale barring and a contrasting dark trailing edge in flight.
Diet
An ambush predator that takes small to medium-sized birds, small mammals, bats, reptiles, and large insects. It hunts from concealed perches, launching rapid, low-level chases through vegetation. Prey is often seized by surprise at forest edges, clearings, or near bird concentrations such as roosts.
Preferred Environment
Feeds within dense forest, along riparian corridors, and at wooded edges where cover is abundant. It also exploits plantations and leafy suburban gardens with tall trees and abundant perches.
