Birds Active during the day

Black Goshawk

Astur melanoleucus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The Black Goshawk is Africa’s premier urban raptor, a master of stealth that has traded the deep forest for the garden canopy. With its piercing red eyes and lightning-fast strikes, it is one of the most thrilling visitors you can discover on your backyard camera.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 46–58 cm (18–23 in); Wingspan: 77–105 cm (30–41 in); Weight: 450–1,050 g (1–2.3 lbs)

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Colors

Adults have black upperparts and either white underparts (white morph) or entirely black underparts (dark morph); distinct yellow cere and legs; adults have striking red eyes.

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Key Features

Large, powerful yellow legs and feet
Vivid red eyes in mature adults
Contrast of coal-black back against white or black chest
Long, barred tail

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-10 AM and 3-5 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily an avian specialist, feeding on medium-sized birds like feral pigeons, doves, and francolins; occasionally takes small mammals.

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Habitat Suburban gardens, eucalyptus plantations, forest edges, and riverine woodlands.

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Where Does the Black Goshawk Live?

The Black Goshawk is a widely distributed raptor native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is found across a vast stretch of the continent, from the tropical forests of West and Central Africa to the wooded savannahs and suburban landscapes of East and Southern Africa. Its core populations are particularly dense in South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, where it has expanded its range significantly by utilizing man-made forests and urban green spaces.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

10 Countries

15M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

ZA South Africa KE Kenya ZW Zimbabwe ET Ethiopia NG Nigeria TZ Tanzania UG Uganda ZM Zambia MZ Mozambique GH Ghana

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Black Goshawk is a formidable and highly adaptable predator that has successfully transitioned from deep forests to the leafy suburbs of African cities. Known for its incredible speed and stealth, it is a pursuit hunter that often catches its prey in mid-air. Unlike many other raptors that soar high in the sky to hunt, this goshawk prefers to stay low or perch within the canopy, waiting for the perfect moment to strike with a burst of acceleration.

These birds are notably territorial, especially during the breeding season. They often return to the same nesting sites for many years, frequently choosing tall, exotic trees like Eucalyptus. While they are generally solitary or found in pairs, they have become remarkably tolerant of human activity, often nesting in busy schoolyards or private gardens where they can be observed raising their young despite the hustle and bustle below.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Black Goshawk on your backyard camera, focus on 'plucking posts.' These are specific low branches or stumps where the hawk brings its prey to remove feathers before eating. If you notice a pile of feathers in your garden, place your camera 3-5 feet away, angled slightly upward. These birds are creatures of habit and will often use the same plucking post for weeks at a time.

Water is another excellent draw. Black Goshawks are known to be frequent bathers, especially in the heat of the afternoon. Position your AI-powered camera near a large, sturdy birdbath or a shallow garden pond. Because these are large birds, ensure the camera is far enough back to capture their full 3-foot wingspan when they shake dry, which makes for spectacular slow-motion footage.

Since these hawks are incredibly fast, set your camera to its highest trigger speed and use the 'burst' photo mode or high-frame-rate video. If your camera supports AI detection, set it to prioritize 'Large Birds.' They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so ensure your camera is positioned to avoid direct lens flare from the rising or setting sun, which can wash out the deep blacks of their plumage.

During the breeding season (typically July to December in Southern Africa), look for them carrying sticks to tall trees. If you have tall Eucalyptus or Pines on your property, mount a camera on a nearby structure or a high pole overlooking the upper canopy. However, always maintain a respectful distance from the nest itself to avoid stressing the birds, as they can become aggressive when protecting their chicks.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Black Goshawk.

African Goshawk

Much smaller with a grey back and fine rufous/grey barring on the underparts rather than solid black or white.

Shikra

A tiny raptor compared to the Black Goshawk, with orange-yellow eyes and a much lighter grey coloration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Black Goshawks are diurnal hunters, meaning they are active during the day. You are most likely to see them hunting in the early morning shortly after sunrise or in the late afternoon before dusk when their prey, like pigeons and doves, is most active.

You don't typically attract them with food, but you can make your yard a 'preferred stop' by providing a large, clean water source for bathing and maintaining tall, mature trees. They are naturally drawn to areas with high populations of doves and pigeons.

Their diet consists almost entirely of other birds. They specialize in medium-sized species, with feral pigeons and various dove species making up the bulk of their diet in suburban areas.

Yes, they are highly successful 'urban adapters.' In cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, they are actually more common in leafy suburbs than they are in the surrounding natural wildlands, thanks to the abundance of prey and nesting trees.

The Black Goshawk is significantly larger. While both have yellow legs, the Black Goshawk lacks the fine grey-and-white barring on the chest found in the African Goshawk, instead featuring solid black or white plumage depending on the morph.

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