![]() ![]() Their diets are very similar, which means that eating habits may not be entirely helpful on its own to help individuals identify their species. When it comes to hunting, these birds share a vicious and menacing practise of accessing their prey that is common to other carnivores alike. ![]() Most falcons also have grey tufts of hair that look like sideburns, named malar stripes, which is another key attribute to look out for. Some species of hawk, such as the Red-tailed Hawk, have further distinguishable features – namely their red tails – which may help with identification. Another element to consider is the striping on the belly – falcons have stripes that extend down the entirety of the belly, whereas hawks only have a whiteish band at the base. These cheek stains are a great way to identify the species. Hawks and falcons are rather similar to each other, but notably, hawks have brown cheeks whereas falcons have white cheeks. Their feathers also have a golden sheen from the head and down the back that is unique and eye-catching. In regard to the colour of their bodies, hawks are likely white and brown in colour, whereas falcons demonstrate more grey colours and eagles have more golden-yellow and dark grey pigments.Įagles have a much greater unique colour variation and have vibrant yellow beaks that are often easily spotted in flight. There is no denying, however, that there are key colour attributions and patterns unique to each bird that is useful in identifying the species. Hawks have shorter wings than eagles and falcons but have distinctively longer tails.Ĭolour is another key factor to consider when differentiating between these birds, despite them all appearing to have similarly coloured earth-toned feathers at first glance. Notably, hawks have sharp talons and curved beaks, which are key factors to look out for. Hawks, on the other hand, are muscular but are not nearly as muscular as eagles. They are often referred to as the king of birds. Most eagles are muscular and hefty, and they have very strong tall legs. Eagles are notably taller and stronger than hawks, weighing sometimes 10 pounds more than the average hawk. They have large heads and particularly large, hooked beaks that assist them in hunting for prey. Their thin, narrow wings enable them to fly at a great speed.Įagles, on the other hand, have long and broad wings and particularly large feet with sharp nails. Their wings are long, narrow and sharp, as well as their toes which are also clawed and pointed. Similar to their size, these birds have different builds that helps birdwatchers identify between them.įalcons have a bullet-shaped body, which is rather unique and easily identifiable when they are perching. Further, identifying these birds whilst they are flying at a distance in the air would mean that any assumption of these birds’ size would not be entirely accurate. Therefore, measurement alone is not sufficient enough to be a sole distinguishable trait, and other factors, such as location and species attribution, must come into play. Red-tailed hawks are also bigger than the particularly small species Eagle, the Australian Little Eagle. It is not enough, however, to rely on size as the only distinguishable factor between the birds as, for example, various species range in sizes – and some species of falcon can be larger than small hawks. Falcons, on the other hands, measure at about 14-19 inches long. Similarly, the average hawk size is around 22 inches, weighing around 2kg. The average eagle is around 36 inches long and can weigh up to 7kg. The smaller size of the falcon, compared to the larger hawk and eagle, makes it more desirable for the sport of falconry. Certain species of falcon can in fact be very small, some weighing under 1kg. Remarkably, the wingspans of eagles, such as the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle, are measured at up to 7 feet, compared to hawks who have an average wingspan of 4 feet, and falcons whose wingspans are under 2 feet. Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) SizeĬomparing these birds according to size may be one of the easiest ways to form distinctions between them.Īlthough all birds of prey are generally large and intimidating in size and demeanour, size is in fact one of the primal and apparent ways of differentiating between these particular birds.Įagles are undoubtedly the largest of the three, followed by hawks and then falcons, which are perceived the smallest. ![]()
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