The Northern Goshawk

The Northern Goshawk:

The Northern Goshawk (Baaj), Punjab’s state bird, has re-entered the political spotlight ahead of state assembly elections after rival political leaders claimed sightings of the bird, interpreting them as divine symbols of protection and blessing.A medium-to-large raptor in the family Accipitridae (historically classified as Accipiter gentilis, and recently reclassified as Astur gentilis for the Eurasian goshawk). Known as a “true hawk,” it is widely celebrated for its speed, maneuverability, and prowess in falconry.Primarily inhabits mature temperate and boreal woodlands, including mixed deciduous and coniferous forests. It is widely distributed across Eurasia and North America, ranging from Scandinavia, northern Russia, and the Mediterranean to the Himalayas, eastern China, and Canada. IUCN Status: Categorised as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.