Difference between Hawk and Falcon

Key Difference: Hawks are birds of prey that are usually smaller in size and have less weight. Falcons are birds of prey that have long pointed wings and an intended (concave) beak.

Hawks are birds of prey that are usually smaller in size and have less weight. Hawks tend to hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch in trees. They usually reside in wooden areas; and are considered to be among the most intelligent birds. These large-to-medium-sized hawks are usually about the size of some of the smallest eagle species.

Falcons are also birds of prey. They are small with a strong angular beak. An angular bend on their beak allows them to easily break their prey’s neck. They belong to the same genus; and have a notch on their beaks. Falcon scientific name is ‘Falco’, and it category is Genus.

Comparison between Hawk and Falcon:

 

Hawk

Falcon

Kingdom

Animalia

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Chordata

Class

Aves

Aves

Order

Falconiformes

Falconiformes

Family

Accipitridae

Falconidae

Species

Over 250 species

Around 37 species

Smaller

Hawks are larger compare to Falcon

Falcons are smaller compare to Hawks

Characteristics

Strong legs, sharp and curved talons, sharp, powerful and curved beaks, powerful wings, keen eyesight, swift fliers, can soar for long periods

Medium sized raptor bird, long pointed wings – gray on the upper and back sides, black and brown bars on its side, blue color eyes, feet colors are from green to yellow, sharp and hooked beak

Color

Vary in color; most are gray or reddish brown on top and whitish underneath. Usually the bills are black, the feet yellow, and the talons black.

They too vary in color; mostly are black, white, silver and red

Gender differentiation

Female are usually larger than their male counterparts.

The difference between male and female falcon is not that evident, but the color and the pattern of the chest and throat are the best indicators.

Feathers

Usually have darker spots or streaks on the neck, breast, and legs and darker bars on the tail and wings. The wings are wider in relation to their bodies and have rounded ends. Their legs are feathered, in some species right down to the toes.

They have long, slender wings that are pointed at the end; the wings are wider in relation to their bodies.

Prey

Smaller birds and land animals, such as rats, mice, gophers, rabbits, and grasshoppers, depending on its habitat.

Small birds, such as doves and pigeons, depending on its habitat.

Hunting

Mostly hunt by day; bat hawk of Asia and Africa, hunts at night. Hunt by sudden dashes from a concealed perch.

Use a variety of techniques to seek, attach and kill prey. They dive and catch their prey by surprise, so the speed kills the prey instantly.

Nesting

Bulky nests of sticks on rocky cliffs or hills, or in trees. A few species nest on the ground.

Nesting on man-made structures such as buildings and cellphone transmission towers.

Eggs

Whitish or light blue usually spotted with brown that number between two to seven.

Whitish eggs with dark brown markings that number between three to four.

Hatchings

Covered with white down, looked after by both parents, able to fly after 4 to 6 weeks.

Female lays 3 to 4 eggs, and both birds keep warm or hatch them for 4 to 7 weeks.

Image Courtesy: upload.wikimedia.org, hdwallpaper.org

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