Difference Between Hawk And Eagle (With Pictures)

Hawk

Hawks are a group of medium-sized diurnal birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Hawks are widely distributed and vary greatly in size. They are relatively stocky and have broad wings and a long tail for soaring. Hawks have sharp talons, large curved bills and muscular legs. They also have excellent eyesight.

Different hawk species come in a wide variety of sizes and tufts. Their color pattern also ranges widely. Some species have solid colors while some others have markings or bands. There are more than 200 species of hawks throughout the world. The most familiar hawks include the red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, northern harrier, bat hawk, cooper’s hawk and sharp-shinned hawk.

The hawk habitat depends on its various species, though these birds live across the vast majority of the world. All the species are widely distributed in north, central and south America and Eurasia, Africa and Australia. Some species live across large ranges while others live only in a small area. In the wild, hawks can survive between 10 to 20 years while in captivity they can live up to 30 years.

A hawk’s diet is predictable and includes a variety of smaller animals. They generally take their prey by surprise in a short chase. Using their sharp nails, they can catch their prey both in the air and on the land.  Some of these small animals include snakes, lizards, fish, mice, rabbits, squirrels, birds, and any other type of small game that is found on the ground. More specifically, a red-shouldered hawk likes to eat smaller birds like doves and bugs like grasshoppers and crickets.

What You Need To Know About Hawk

• Hawks are a group of medium-sized diurnal birds of prey of the family Accipitridae.
• Hawks often have grey or reddish-brown plumage on the back and white feathers on the chest and belly.
• Hawks produce high-pitched screeching noise.
• There are around 250 species of hawk in the world.
• Hawks have dark spots or streaks on the neck and legs; and darker bars on the wings. 
• Hawk is known for its amazing eyesight and for its hunting techniques.
• The young ones of hawk are referred to as Eyas.
• The hawk can fly between speed of 200-300 km/hr.
• A group of hawk flying together is generally referred to as kettle of hawks.
• Hawks are birds of prey, they only feed on meat. They haunt and eat rabbits, snakes, rats, mice, lizards, fish and squirrels.
• In the wild, hawks can survive between 10 to 20 years while in captivity they can live up to 30 years.
• In a year, a female haw lay between 1 to 5 eggs, on the cliffs, hills, trees or occasionally on the ground.
• Hawks have a sharper eyesight that’s between 4 to 8 times stronger than that of humans.
• Hawks habitat include marshes, forests, and rainforests, open Savannahs, grasslands, mountains, coastal regions and deserts.

Eagle

Eagles are large birds of prey which are members of the bird family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 60 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just 14 species can be found—2 in North America, 9 in Central and South America, and 3 in Australia.

Eagles are differentiated from other broad winged birds of prey mainly by their larger size, more powerful build, heavier head and bill. Most eagles are larger than any other raptors apart from the vultures. Their size can easily recognize these birds. They have sharp nails on their feet and large curved beaks. They also possess muscular legs and powerful talons.

Eagles are monogamous. They mate for life and use the same nest each year. Eagles usually build their nests, in tall trees or high cliffs. Both males and females construct the nest together. Many of the eagle species lay between 1 to 3 eggs. It takes nearly 35 days for an eagle egg to hatch. The young mature slowly, reaching adult plumage in the third or fourth year.

Eagles are mostly active during the daytime and rest at night. They also have eyesight that is 4 to 8 times stronger than humans. Eagles are predatory and only feed on meat; they hunt their prey before eating them. These preys include fish, rabbits, marmots, hares, mice and ground squirrels. Some of the eagle species are scavengers, which mean they primarily eat dead fish and animals. The average lifespan of an eagle is between 14 to 25 years in the wild.

What You Need To Know About Eagle

• Eagles are large birds of prey which are members of the bird family Accipitridae.
• Eagles are usually covered with golden, blackish-gray and brown feathers and have yellowish or light-colored beak.
• Eagles produce subtle screams.
• There are only 74 species of eagles.
• The eagle legs are feathered down to the toes.                
• Eagle is known for its powerful talons and for its hunting techniques.
• The eagle young ones are known as eaglets; they are born with light gray color and then turn brown with time. 
• The eagle is the second-fastest flying bird in the world and it can fly up to a speed of 320 km/hr.
• The group of eagles flying together is referred to as a convocation.
• Eagles are predatory and only feed on meat, they hunt their prey before eating them. These preys include fish, rabbits, marmots, hares, mice and ground squirrels.
• The average lifespan of an eagle is between 10 and 20 years in the wild.
• Many of the eagle species lay between 1 to 3 eggs in a nest located on tall trees.
• The eyesight of an eagle is 4 to 6 times stronger than humans.
• Eagles’ habitat include marshes, forests, and rainforests, open Savannahs, grasslands, mountains, coastal regions and deserts.

Also Read: Difference Between Crows and Ravens

Difference Between Hawk And Eagle In Tabular Form

Also Read: Difference Between Bunny And Rabbit