Goshawk

You are now walking through Aleppo pine woodland on both sides of the trail, and it is in these woods that the goshawk (photo) can best display its skills. Although its body is similar to a falcon’s, it is in the same family as the eagles because of the shape of its head and beak and also because of its very powerful talons. It is a fast, discreet and hard to spot bird of prey. Its short broad wings and long tail give it great manoeuvrability, helping it hunt its prey in woodland. It builds large nests in trees or uses the old nests of corvids and red kites. It feeds on small mammals, although its favourite prey is other birds which it catches on the wing.