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Hawks and falcons are birds of prey. However, you’ve probably heard people use these terms interchangeably. In fact, these are two different types of birds. Hawks are adaptable, but prefer to live in the open spaces of North America, Central America, Jamaica, and the West Indies. Falcons live in several countries around the world.
On the other hand, there is a difference between what common names refer to specific birds and what they mean when training birds of prey or carnivores. Keeping any trained bird of prey in captivity is called falconry, which was formerly called a “hawk”, and any of the birds of prey in falconry can be called a hawk. Why are the birds in the Accipitrine group called hawks, and the birds in the Buteo group called hawks, buzzards, or buzzard hawks, depending on where they are? We’ll see what makes a real hawk or a real falcon and what the difference is between them below!
Comparison of a falcon and a hawk
| hawk | Falcon | |
|---|---|---|
| The size | 8-30 inches L (large) | 8-26 inches L (miniature to medium) |
| Colour | The plumage is brownish-grayish, the underside is pale, striped. | Black-barred wings (females), bluish-gray (males) |
| Wings | Wide, rounded, short; wingspan 17-44 inches | Pointed, thin, long; wingspan 29-47 inches (peregrine falcon) |
| Head shape | Smooth, pointed heads | Round, short heads |
| Habitat | Adaptable; woodlands, forests, rural areas, deserts, fields, mountain plains, tropical areas | Usually open country |
| Taxonomy | Subfamilies Accipitrinae and Buteoninae in the family Accipitridae and the order Accipitriformes; 2 groups; more than 250 types | The genus Falco belongs to the subfamily Falconidae, the family Falconidae and the order Falconiformes in 3-4 groups; 37 kinds |
| Murder method | Legs and claws | Beak tooth |
| Diet | Small mammals | Terrestrial vertebrates, small birds |
| Nests | High in the trees | Hollow trees |
| Flight style | Slow flutter in a circular flight or short flapping of the arms followed by sliding | Short, fast sweeps, over 100 mph |
8 key differences between a falcon and a hawk
Falcon vs Hawk: Size
By far the biggest difference between the two birds of prey is their size. Although in both cases the females are larger than the males, the hawks are considered large: 8 to 30 inches in length, 18 to 30, excluding the smallest species, the sparrowhawk. Falcons sometimes range from miniature to medium in length and 8 to 26 inches. Other factors are considered, such as bird age and species, but in general, hawks are much larger than falcons.
Falcon vs. Hawk: Color
Of course, both birds can have similar colors, so how do you tell them apart? The details of their designs matter, which means you’ll need to look at their plumage, wings, and lower body. Hawks have grayish and brownish feathers with a pale striped underside, while falcons are bluish-gray. Also, the female falcon has wings with a black bridge. There are other differences depending on the species. For example, red-tailed hawks have a brown belly stripe with a white lower part and brown cheeks, while peregrine falcons have a solid stripe and white cheeks behind the zygomatic stripes.
Falcon vs. Hawk: Wings
Another huge indicator of difference is the unique characteristics of their wings. Even with a quick glance, you can see that the wings of the hawk are short, wide and rounded, while the wings of the falcon are long, thin and pointed. Some species of hawks, including eagles, also have individual feathers at the ends.
Falcon vs. Hawk: Head Shape
At first glance, it might seem that the hawk and the falcon have very similar head shapes. And they will do it until you take a closer look at them. Examine the outline without the beak and you will see that the hawk’s head is thin and pointed, while the falcon’s head is round and short.
Falcon vs. Hawk: Taxonomy
There are 2 groups of birds called hawks: Accipitrin and Buteo. Accipitrin includes pointy-nosed hawks, sparrowhawks, goshawks, buzzards, eagles, kites, and harriers. Buteo includes birds called hawks, buzzards, or buzzard hawks. Falcons are divided into 3-4 groups and include kestrels, hobbies, peregrine falcons and sometimes individual falcons or hawk falcons.
Falcon vs. Hawk: Method of Assassination
Both birds of prey catch their prey with their claws, but they have completely different killing methods when they finish hunting. Hawks kill with their strong legs and large sharp claws for tearing, while falcons have a jagged or “tooth” on the side of their beak to deliver a killing blow.
Falcon vs. Hawk: Nests
The nests of hawks and falcons are in completely opposite places. Hawks build their nests high away from predators. Falcons build their nests in the hollows of trees, but they will willingly move to poultry houses ten to thirty feet above the ground.
Falcon vs. Hawk: Flight Style
The flying styles of the hawk and falcon reflect how their wings are designed for different purposes. The hawk flutters slowly, flying in a circle, or, alternately, briefly flaps its wings and then glides. Falcon wings are best for high speed stopping and diving, so you will see fast, short but powerful flaps and speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, and the peregrine falcon dives at speeds ranging from 180 to 200 miles per hour.
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