Goshawk, National bird of Korea

Goshawk, National bird of Korea

Generally, the national bird is chosen from among the birds that are indigenous to a certain country and widely known to its people.

In Korea goshawk had close relation with local people and so, was loved by them.

It was also well known to neighboring countries.

From olden times Koreans trained goshawk to hunt pheasants, hares and other animals.

After the early 3^rd century B.C. some people kept goshawk and during the Koryo Dynasty (918~1392) a government office raised it.

Goshawk was called in another name falcon and known as Haedongchong in neighboring countries.

Haedongchong means Korea’s peregrine falcon and it was in great demand in China, Japan and other neighboring countries.

Goshawk or Accipiter gentilis belongs to Accipitridae of Ciconiiformes.

Accipitridae comprises 23 species of hawks including goshawk.

Its body is 48~61cm long and it weighs 500g~1kg.

A wing is 28~40cm long and the spread wings are 105~130cm long.

Beak is small, legs are slim and long and the body color is diverse.

The crown and back of the head of cock are dark chestnut.

The back of the neck is chestnut-black and the feather of the wing is dark chestnut.

The feathers of the chest, abdomen and legs are white with dark chestnut thin horizontal patterns.

Hen is bigger than cock.

Living in forest, it mostly hunts and eats rats, pheasants, pigeons, hares and other animals.

While circling in the air in search of prey, it swoops down upon it as swift as an arrow.

Usually goshawks live separately, not in a group.

They couple only in the breeding season.

Goshawk propagates itself between late April and early May.

It builds a dish-shaped nest with twigs on a tall tree and lays 2~4 eggs, light blue or blue.

It propagates itself in the mountain area of northern part of Korea and spends the winter in central and southern part of Korea.

Though it is not large, goshawk has a balanced appearance, eyes, sharp beak, strong talons as well as very swift speed and clever and resolute temperament.

Goshawk is a favorite bird of Koreans because it resembles Korea making a great leap forward to thriving nation.