#Falcon vs hawk pictures full#

This can refer to any bird from the Haliaeetus family. You might sometimes hear of birds being called sea eagles. The differences between falcons and sea hawks are body shape, beak shape, and diving speeds. It is sometimes used as a nickname for various birds like ospreys or skuas, but that’s as close as you’ll get to any bird being a sea hawk. That’s right: despite the name made famous by the football team, no particular bird is called a sea hawk. So the first fact you need to know is that there is no such thing as a sea hawk. What’s the Difference Between a Sea Hawk and a Falcon? They can weigh a little more than Red-Tails, with the heaviest Peregrines weighing up to 56.4 ounces. Their maximum length is a few inches short of the Red-Tails, at 19.3 inches, with wingspans of over 43 inches. On the other hand, Peregrine Falcons are similarly sized for both sexes. Female Red-Tailed Hawks are larger, with a length of up to 25.6 inches and similar wingspans.įemales weigh more, topping at 51.5 ounces, versus the males’ 45.9. Male Red-Tailed Hawks can be over 22 inches long with wingspans up to 52.4 inches. Yes, a Red-Tailed Hawk is bigger than a Peregrine Falcon. Is a Red-Tailed Hawk Bigger Than a Peregrine Falcon? This extra speed is important to a falcon’s mid-air hunting style. It has a sharp edge used to sever the spinal column of prey animals, killing them quickly. There is a notch on the upper mandible, or top part, of their beaks, called the tomial tooth. Do Falcons Have Sharp Beaks?įalcons share the curved, hooked beaks that hawks have, with an additional feature.

Bigger hawks, naturally, have bigger beaks with a simple curve. Hawks, like all raptors, have curved beaks with sharp, hooked ends that they can use to tear apart their prey. There are many kinds of hawks and falcons, all different sizes. The ultimate winner would probably come down to the species in question. The two birds also have excellent eyesight that helps them see prey in flight. Hawks have the advantages of size and strength, while falcons have speed and maneuverability.īoth birds have deadly weapons in the form of their beaks and talons, and both will hunt and eat other birds when they have the opportunity. Who Would Win a Fight, a Falcon or a Hawk?īoth falcon and a hawk would have a good chance against each other in a fight.

#Falcon vs hawk pictures full#

In our article here, you can get a full breakdown of the differences between eagles and hawks. So what makes an eagle different from a hawk? Essentially, eagles are bigger and go after bigger prey. However, eagles and hawks belong to the same family, the Accipitridae family. Hawks typically kill prey with their feet and talons, while falcons are more likely to kill with the sharp edge of their beaks, called a “ tomial tooth.” Is an Eagle a Hawk or a Falcon?Īn eagle is neither a hawk nor a falcon. Smaller birds make up more of a falcon’s diet, while hawks eat more small mammals. Hawks, by contrast, will fly in slow circles or flapping and glide. The fastest bird in the world, a Peregrine Falcon, can dive at speeds of over 200 miles per hour. Falcons have long, slender wings that come to a point.įalcons are known for their short bursts of high-speed flight. Hawks have wide, rounded wings that are shorter than falcons. While hawks and falcons tend to be medium-sized raptors, hawks generally come out on the larger end of the scale than falcons. There are over 250 species of hawks but only 40 species of falcons. They are further divided into the Accipiter and Buteo hawks.įalcons have their own family, the Falconidae. Hawks belong to the Accipitridae family, along with eagles, kites, and harriers. However, hawks and falcons belong to different families. For example, a Peregrine Falcon is sometimes called a “duck hawk,” even though it’s not a hawk.

Sometimes they even get referred to by the wrong names. They can be of a similar size and appearance and are easy to mix up. What Is the Difference Between Falcons vs Hawks?įalcons and hawks are both raptors, which means they have hooked beaks and talons to help them tear into prey they have hunted. We’ll even tell you whether a hawk or a falcon would win in a fight and what a “sea hawk” is on earth. In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between falcons and hawks. With so much in common, how do you tell these two kinds of birds apart? They both have amazing eyesight, and they both are fantastic hunters. They look much alike, with hooked beaks, sharp talons, and similar sizes. Hawks and falcons: two exciting and popular bird families with a lot in common.