Goshawk vs Sparrowhawk
Accipiter gentilis and Accipiter nisus
Comparison notes
Field marks and practical differences
The Goshawk and Sparrowhawk are both woodland raptors in the UK, but differ significantly in size and behaviour. The Goshawk is larger, about the size of a crow, with blue-grey upperparts and finely barred underparts, plus a distinctive white eyebrow stripe above striking orange-red eyes. Its long, banded tail and broad, rounded wings create a powerful, deliberate flight pattern of two flaps followed by a glide. In contrast, the smaller Sparrowhawk has shorter, rounded wings and a long, barred tail, with males showing grey upperparts and reddish barring below, and females browner tones. Both have a pale supercilium, but Sparrowhawks’ eyes are yellow to orange, and their flight is quicker with rapid wingbeats and short glides. Field identification can be tricky in dense woodland, where both species hunt birds, but size and habitat offer clues. Goshawks prefer mature forests and are rarer, often seen performing display flights in spring. Sparrowhawks are widespread, frequenting woodlands, farmland, and urban gardens, often flying low along hedgerows or darting into gardens. Their smaller size and more agile flight help distinguish Sparrowhawks from the more imposing Goshawk.
Size stats
Compare species by wingspan and weight
- Body length
- 46 - 61 cm
- Wingspan
- 89 - 105 cm
- Weight
- 0.5 - 1.3 kg
- Body length
- 28 - 38 cm
- Wingspan
- 55 - 80 cm
- Weight
- 110 - 300 g
Habitats
Where they live
Diet breakdown
What they eat
- Vertebrates90%
- Insects5%
- Other Invertebrates5%
- Vertebrates90%
- Insects5%
- Other Invertebrates5%
Species notes
Descriptions and photographer notes
Goshawk
The Goshawk is a strong bird of prey, about the size of a crow, with a noticeable look among British birds of prey. Adult birds have blue-grey feathers on their backs and finely striped feathers underneath. They have a clear white stripe above their sharp orange-red eyes. Their long tail has dark stripes and a white band at the end. When flying, they show a typical pattern of flapping their wings twice and then gliding, with wide, rounded wings. The Goshawk lives in Britain but is quite rare. It is mostly found in mature pine and mixed forests, especially in Wales, northern England, and Scotland. It is a secretive hunter in the forest, chasing prey with great skill through thick tree cover. It hunts birds up to the size of pigeons and small mammals like squirrels. The best time to see Goshawks is during the spring, when they perform display flights above their woodland areas. During these flights, pairs of birds do dramatic, wave-like dances in the sky. At other times, they are very hard to spot, as they stay hidden within the forest all year round.
Sparrowhawk
The Sparrowhawk is a small, quick bird of prey found in woodlands. It has short, rounded wings and a long tail with bars, which help it move swiftly through thick plants. Male Sparrowhawks are grey on top with reddish-brown bars underneath. Females are browner with white and fine brown bars underneath. Both males and females have a pale stripe above their eyes. Their eyes are yellow or orange, and they have long yellow legs. The Sparrowhawk is common throughout Britain and Ireland. It lives in woodlands, farmland with hedgerows, and more and more often in suburban gardens. They hunt by surprise, using plants and other cover to sneak up on small birds at feeders or near the edges of woods. Their flight pattern includes quick wing flaps followed by short glides. They are often seen flying low along hedgerows or diving suddenly into gardens. Smaller birds often give alarm calls when Sparrowhawks are nearby.