Hawk and falcon8/3/2023 ![]() ![]() The Goshawk always looks like it is ready to murder anything that looks at it the wrong way. The hawks have a more sloping shape and often appear to be more menacing as a result. Falcons tend to have rounded heads with their large, prominent forward-facing eyes. Another physical difference is the shape of the head. They can dart around trees after prey with great ease, whereas the falcons prefer to be in open country. The wings of a hawk don’t have the same pointed shape as the falcons, but they are still agile flyers. That is why size isn’t the best way of determining which type of raptor you can see. Females are often larger and youngsters may still have some growing to do. Therefore, you could put a small hawk next to a large falcon and see that the falcon is noticeably larger.Īnother problem with looking at the size of the bird is that males, females, and juveniles are often very different. ![]() For example, the smaller hawks may be as short as 18 inches and the largest closer to 30. When it comes to the size of hawks, there is some overlap with the falcons that can cause confusion. This bird likes to hunt closer to open ground, rather than heading up as high as the Kestrel. The Merlin is similar in build with the same type of wing and rounded head. It uses its pointed wings for an aerobatic flight over water, where it is skilled in taking dragonflies out of the air. The Hobby is a great example of this as it looks a lot like the Peregrine in terms of markings, but has the smaller build of the Kestrel. Then there are similar falcons that share traits with both the Kestrel and the Peregrine Falcon. The birds will stoop through the air like a fighter jet at close to 200mph and strike their prey. They too have more pointed wings that allow for better aerodynamics. Otherwise, they will be surveying the territory from high perches. You may see one pass overhead or swoop past when making a kill. These birds are harder to spot in flight. It would be easy to mistake the larger female for a hawk when compared to the much smaller male Sparrowhawk. They are much bigger birds with broader wings and a different hunting strategy. But, it is very different to the Kestral. The Peregrine Falcon is clearly a falcon based on name alone. If it then pauses to hover over open ground you know you have a Kestral. The pointed, more angular wings help to distinguish this bird from a hawk. The male is an unmistakable bird when perched in close proximity, but less so in silhouette against a bright sky. Some of the smaller details in the plumage or head shape may not be obvious from a distance. ![]() This idea of paying attention to the wings and flight patterns of local birds of prey is perhaps the most effective when identifying them. This helps these birds to remain agile in the air and achieve greater speeds than other birds of prey. Some will also have a more pronounced angular shape. Their wings are usually more narrow in shape based on their body side and taper to a point. They could perch on branches or fences and go unseen, whereas a larger eagle would look completely out of place.Īn easier way to tell if you are looking at a falcon is through their wings. Some are as small as 8 inches or as long as 26. You will also find that some migratory species are pretty small too, such as the Red-footed Falcon. Some of our UK species are on the larger side, such as the Peregrine, but most are pretty small. Typically speaking, a falcon is a smaller bird. The first thing to consider is their size. Four species of falcon are resident here in the UK and they all share some of the same characteristics. What Are Some Of The Distinguishing Features Of Falcons? Again, this may not be obvious when viewing birds until you get to see a wild eagle. There are also differences in the weaponry of the birds – their talons and beaks. Wing shape will determine flight patterns and hunting strategies, which helps us when watching these birds in the wild. It helps to also look at details in the shape of the bird’s head and wings. Many people will say that you can tell by the size, although this isn’t always a guarantee. While there are lots of similarities between these three groups – mostly based on their behaviours as predators – there are also notable physiological differences. In addition, the head of a Falcon tends to be rounder vs that of the Hawk, which appears more sloping.īut several other subtle differences can help us identify which family of birds of prey we are looking at, so continue reading and don’t miss the sometimes overlooked differences! How To Tell The Difference Between Falcons, Hawks And Eagles Conversely, falcons tend to be the smaller of the three groups of birds and their wings are usually narrow in shape and taper to a point. Owls of Great Britain - Calls and LocationsĪs a general rule, Eagles are significantly larger than both Hawk and Falcon, possessing greater power and strength in their feet and beaks.
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