Hawk vs Eagle: Key Differences & Identification Guide

Many bird lovers are unable to find the difference between birds with same physical characteristics. One of the most difficult ones is hawk vs. eagle. They share similar shapes with dark brown feathers and are in the same family, the Accipitridae.

This article will differentiate between their physical and flight characteristics, habitat and hunting styles. Let's explore hawk vs eagle.

Taxonomy & terminology

Hawks and eagles share a classification in the family accipitridae. They are diurnal hunters and nocturnal sleepers (there are some exceptions, e.g., hawks hunting at night). Hawks and eagles branch within that family.

Hawks can be classified into two groups:

● Buteo species (as in red-tailed hawk). They have broad wings, and you can see them soaring in open fields.

● Accipiter species (as in Sharp-shinned hawk). They have short, round wings and long tails that help them maneuver through the trees.

● Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius). They hunt low, and you can see them gliding over marshes and grasslands.

Eagles can be classified into four groups:

● Fish eagles - such as the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). They are good at grabbing a fish out of the water.

● Snake eagles - such as the short-toed snake eagle. They target reptiles.

● Giant forest eagles - such as the harpy eagle, which is strong enough to take monkeys and sloths.

● Booted eagles - such as golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). They have feathers covering their legs for warmth in cold environments.

Size and Strength

What is the first distinction?

Size - they are bigger than hawks. Bald Eagles are 28 - 40 inches long. In addition, they have a wingspan of approximately 80 inches, and they weigh 6.6 - 14 pounds. 

The golden eagle is the largest. It has a weight because of its strength and speed. On average, hawks in North America range from 18 - 26 inches. Measuring from tip to tip, hawks have an average length of 45 - 52 inches and a weight of 1.5 - 3.5 pounds.

They both have personalities with different strengths. Hawks can grip with about 200 psi. A hawk is between 1.5 - 3.5 pounds. While eagles can grip with twice as much psionic grip, 400 psi. Eagles have thick legs with heavy muscles and a sharp talon. A hawk can grip or lift very little at four pounds, but the eagle can carry prey that is 20 pounds.

Wingspan Comparative, Flight Patterns and Field Marks

One of the best ways to compare a hawk vs eagle is during their gliding phase, where you can see their wings together.

The average wingspan of an eagle is 6-7.5 ft, whereas the wingspan of a hawk is, on average, 4-5 ft max. There will be some variations/species in both agree and hawks, but eagle species will always have the advantage since their primary feathers that provide their wingtips on their wings are longer and more showy.

Eagles are gliders in the raptor world. Their wings are almost flat, like a floating board, and they can ride thermals for a very long time.

Hawks will usually flap more often while they are flying, and their wing posture will typically be rounded. The Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) has a unique glide that is low and buoyant.

In birdwatching jargon, "field mark" means an observable trait. It is something you can usually see from a distance. The field marks of hawks could be exemplified by mature Red-tailed hawk's red tail, identifying the white patch on the rumps of Northern Harriers or by the differently barred secondaries of certain species.

Hunting Habits and Diet

Hawks can be agile and opportunistic hunters. For example, Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) can scan the fields and then they will use a sit-and-wait strategy and will abandon this strategy as soon as something in the field moves.

Sometimes a Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) will dodge or "thread the needle" in the trees to ambush a small bird. To hunt, Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) will fly low over marshes (listening and watching intently) to find rodent-like mammals or small birds.

The diet of hawks is quite variable but is mostly made up of small mammals such as: mice, chipmunks, and squirrels. Hawks will also eat frogs, lizards, snakes, insects, and crabs along the coast.

Eagles usually use their size and strength. Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are common in coastal regions and are well known as skilled fishers that grab fish from the water or the surface of the water and even steal fish from other raptors (including seagulls).

Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are able to hunt slightly larger mammals and pursue slightly larger prey such as jackrabbits, prairie dogs, and even young deer. In tropical forests, the Harpy eagle is very powerful and can take down prey as large as a sloth or monkey due to their enormous talons the size of a grizzly bear's claws.

Habitat & Range

Hawks are found on all continents except Antarctica. The Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is so ubiquitous in North America, perched on utility poles, highway fences, and treetops to scan for prey over open fields and grasslands or near the forest edge, that it is difficult to miss.

The Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) inhabits marshes, meadows, and coastal prairies, hunting while low to the ground. In contrast, the Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) tends to remain inconspicuous in dense forests with fewer eyes in the sky on its tail when pursuing small birds.

Eagles also adapt to a variety of habitats, but they associate with habitats that provide wide views and plentiful prey.

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is always associated with large bodies of water that provide abundant fish. The Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) prefers more open or semi-open landscapes (mountains, cliffs, or desert). Due to this reason, they can soar for miles while searching for small mammals.

In the tropics, the Harpy eagle can be found in the canopy of tropical rainforest which makes it extremely rare for even a seasoned birder to see in the wild.

Vocalizations

Hawks make harsh, rasping calls, and eagles have a hoarse descending sound. Most Hollywood movie in recent years uses the eagle sound for the sound effect of eagles in films.

Hawks

● Calls are best described as hoarse

● Utilizing territorial defense, warning calls, and communication with mates.

● Examples: The scream of the Red-tailed hawk, the short, high-pitched “kek-kek-kek” of a Sharp-shinned hawk.

Eagles:

● Higher and lighter than you would expect based on their size.

● The Bald Eagle call is a series of high chirps or whistles.

● The Golden eagle makes high, piping notes, especially when nesting.

Nest building and Reproduction

Most species of hawks will build their nests high up in trees, using sticks, leaves, bark, etc. The Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) prefers tall trees at the margins of open hunting fields. Hawks will generally lay 3 to 5 eggs per clutch; of course, the Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) offers exceptions with 4 -6.

Sharing nest incubation and feeding duties, the male and female hawks quickly raise their chicks. They fledge in weeks and become independent.

Eagles differ both literally and figuratively in their nesting behavior. Eagles build nests called "aeries" or "aerie" and require the tallest trees or cliffs to build their nests, usually utilizing 1 or 2 eggs per nesting season. Eagles also can linger in their nests for many months after leaving before they will fly for the first time.

Hawks and Eagles in the Wild

Eagles win disagreements because they have a heavy body, a large hooked bill, and large talons.

The hawk might be dinner for an eagle of a larger species, like a Golden or Bald Eagle. In this situation, a hawk would only have poor odds sitting on a perch in the eagles hunting domain. This is because when an eagle of larger species happens to head to a hunting domain that a hawk may have claimed for its own hunting domain, the hawk would retreat without argument.

Moreover, possibly a juvenile eagle that has not learned to hunt hawks or the eagle may be older or in bad shape. Eagles of the kinds mentioned would almost certainly not make for a pleasant hunting condition for a hawk.

Fun Cultural & Symbolic Notes

Beyond the science of distinguishing a hawk from an eagle, both birds have fascinated the human psyche for millennia.

Eagles have been widely regarded as symbols of such power. The American Eagle symbolizes freedom or power. The eagle is associated with mythological Roman gods such as Jupiter, and eagles were often carried into battle as military standards. Many countries and their cultures have eagle symbolism in their flags, coats of arms, and national seals.

Hawks have cultural meaning as well. In many Native traditions, the hawk is seen as a messenger and is viewed as representative of focus, vision, and guardianship.

Falconry, or the hunting of birds of prey, including hawks, has a long history of thousands of years and is still a practiced art today.

Comparison Table: Eagle vs. Hawk Characteristics

Conclusion

Hawk vs eagle explanation is more than just size. Eagles are generally bigger, stronger, and capable of taking bigger prey but hawks are more agile, quick striking, and adaptable hunters.

Once you learn their individual differences in flying styles, hunting techniques, habitats, and calls, you'll be able to identify these birds of prey without hesitation.

So the next time you look up and see the silhouette of a raptor against the sky, you'll know exactly what observations to look for.