Falcons and hawks are quite relatable and even a birdwatcher can get confused due to the similarities. But, there are subtle differences based on their wings, body size, and beak. Get to know how you can differentiate a Falcon from a Hawk.
Characteristics of Falcon Vs. Hawk
Falcons and hawks both are predators but there are certain aspects that set them apart, such as:
Classification
There are more than 200 hawk species in the order Accipitriformes and family Accipitridae. Among them, only 50 belong to true hawk species and belong to subfamily Accipitrinae. On the other hand, 64 falcon species are available globally, belonging to the genus Falco, under the order Falconiformes, family Falconidae, and subfamily Falconinae.
Size
A hawk is about 20 inches long when measured from beak to tail, and the largest one is measured to be 25 inches long. On the other hand, a falcon is 10 inches long and the largest one is measured to be 17 inches on average.
Wings
Hawks have larger wingspans when compared with a falcon, where a hawk has 52 inches wingspan and a Falcon has 43 inches range. However, due to their slender body type, falcons create an illusion of having larger wings. Falcon wings are made for incredible speed which is not made by the discernible feathers of the hawk. Falcons are great flyers when compared with hawks who prefer to beat their wings rapidly to fly and hawks prefer to glide.
Head
Falcons have short and rounded heads, whereas hawks have a pointed head. Falcons have a notch at the tip of the beak which they use to kill and this is lacking in hawks. Instead, hawks have a curved beak and rather than using their talons to kill their prey.
Range
Both hawks and falcons can cover a large range across the globe. In the USA, hawks can be found in every state but a falcon is not found in every other state you name, rather they prefer to live around the US coastlines along the river valleys. Hawks are found in every continent except Antarctica and they mostly prefer the open space with high perches, such as tall trees and cliff ledges.
Also, falcons can be found in every continent, but not in Antarctica. Some of them are also seen to migrate while others stay in their local areas. They mostly prefer the wide open space and tend to choose their habitats from tundra to forests to deserts. They are also seen near coast areas where the shorebirds are quite common
Hunting Style
Hawks prefer to prey from a distance due to their excellent eyesight. They are seen hovering on their prey, flapping their wings, and as soon as they get a chance, hawks swoop down and grab the prey with their talons. This hunting style is also known as perch hunting. On the other hand, falcons prefer to show off their intense flying skills, where they tend to glide and hover over their prey. They tend to catch the prey mid-air with fast dives and take their prey to a safe spot to kill using their sharp beaks and eat.
Nesting Habits
Hawks are mostly seen to build their nest on tall tree branches, which have a wide view and larger landscape. They also choose to build nests on chimneys, window sills, billboard platforms, etc. Every year a hawk lays around 5 eggs which appear to be greenish white and they take 28 to 32 days to hatch, from March to May. On the other hand, falcons tend to occupy other’s nests. They also build nests on tall cliffs but prefer not to. They pick a nesting site and make a shallow hole in the sand or ground using their feet. Falcons, too, lay 5 eggs which are pink or reddish brown in color and the incubation period and month are similar to hawks.
Present Status
Based on the IUCN report, out of 51 hawks, 7 are threatened with extinction, 5 are vulnerable and 2 are endangered. On the other hand, among the 34 falcons, 3 are threatened, 5 are vulnerable and 2 are endangered. The reason behind this was bioaccumulation of DDT or pesticide usage, previously and at present lead poisoning which is used in sinkers for fishing. Along with that, climate change and habitat loss are also triggering the reduction in these bird populations.
What is the Most Quick Way to Tell the Difference Between a Hawk from a Falcon?
A falcon has a long, slender body, and wings with pointed edges, but hawks are short with broad wings, which are rounded in nature and resemble finger-like structures.
Can We Call Falcons Hawks?
The commonly seen peregrine falcon was previously called duck hawk in North America, but the truth is falcons come from a different taxonomic order.
