The comparison of the falcon and the hawk is an age-old debate among avian enthusiasts. These raptors rule the skies and have been around for millions of years — so what’s their difference?
Falcons and hawks differ in several key aspects. Falcons, known for their high-speed flying, possess thin, tapered wings and a distinctive “tooth” on their beak for killing prey.
Hawks, on the other hand, have broader, rounded wings and shorter tails, ideal for soaring and gliding. While falcons use speed and agility to hunt, hawks rely on their powerful talons and stealth.
In this article, we will not only examine the physical differences between a falcon and a hawk, but we will also take a closer look at their respective habitats, dietary needs, hunting strategies, typical behaviors, and more.
Summary of Falcon vs. Hawk
| Falcon | Hawk |
|---|---|
 |  |
| Classification: Order Falconiformes, family Falconidae | Classification: Order Accipitriformes, subfamily Accipitridae |
| Range: Arctic regions, North and South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia | Range: Arctic regions, North and South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia |
| Size: 8–26 in (20.3–66 cm) | Size: 12–30 in (30.5–76.2 cm) |
| Weight: 1.5–3.3 lbs (0.7–1.5 kg) | Weight: 1.5–3.5 lbs (0.7–1.6 kg) |
| Appearance: Smaller and more slender, with round heads and longer wings | Appearance: Larger and bulkier, with pointy heads and shorter wings |
| Coloration: Males are bluish-gray; females are also bluish-gray but with barred wings | Coloration: Brownish-gray, alongside pale, striped bellies |
| Flight Speed: 50–240 mph | Flight Speed: 50–120 mph |
| Behavior: Alert, vocal, intelligent, loner, and resourceful | Behavior: Quiet, solitary, calm, dependable, tenacious, and modest |
| Diet & Prey: Other birds, reptiles, invertebrates, small mammals, insects, and rarely carrion | Diet & Prey: Dead animal carcasses, reptiles, other birds, small mammals, human leftovers, and insects |
| Lifespan: 5–17 years | Lifespan: 12–30 years |
| Breeding: February to May, laying around 1-5 eggs per breeding season | Breeding: Late February to March, laying around 3-4 eggs per breeding season |
| Conservation Status: Among its family, five are Near-Threathened, six are Vulnerable, and two are Endangered. | Conservation Status: Among its family, nine are Vulnerable and 18 are Endangered. |
Key Differences Between Falcons and Hawks
Since falcons and hawks exhibit many similarities, it’s easy to assume they’re the same animal. However, they’re actually quite different. Here are a few key distinctions between the two:
1. Hawk and Falcon Classification
Falcons are not related to hawks. These birds belong to the order Falconiformes and the Falconidae family. They also arise from the genus Falco, which shows their unique lineage.
On the other hand, hawks fly under a different banner, classified within the order Accipitriformes and the subfamily Accipitridae.
Further, not all hawks are grouped together in one genus; their family tree branches into numerous genera.
Fun Fact: Falcons share a closer evolutionary bond with parrots than with hawks. They even have a more recent common ancestor with some of the birds they prey upon, like thrushes and honeyeaters.
2. Habitat and Range
Generally speaking, falcons have a vast range that spans the Arctic regions and continents from North and South America to Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia.
Their habitats are equally diverse, encompassing everything from cities and valleys to grasslands and deserts.
Not only do they thrive in various forest types, but they are also comfortable along coastlines and near other bodies of water.
Like falcons, hawks are found on every continent except Antarctica. Their preferred environments include forests, marshes, wetlands, meadows, prairies, mountainous plains, and deserts.
Roadsides, too, are often frequented by these versatile birds. Some hawks even build homes in urban areas, such as public parks and gardens.
3. Physical Characteristics
When comparing these two birds’ overall appearance, falcons are smaller and more slender, distinguished by their round heads and elongated wings. You will also notice that their legs and feet are notably golden yellow.
In contrast, hawks are larger and bulkier, with pointed heads and relatively shorter wings. Their legs and feet tend to be more of a pale yellow.
Moving on to tail length, falcons typically possess shorter tail feathers, whereas hawks flaunt longer ones.
Size and Weight
Falcons are on the small side among birds of prey, with their stature ranging from 8 to 26 inches.
Falcons are also relatively lightweight. They tip the scales at just 1.5 to 3.3 pounds, a reflection of their aerodynamic build for high-speed flight.
Hawks stand taller, with their length varying between 12 and 30 inches. They are bulkier, too. They weigh in at 1.5 to 3.5 pounds, which greatly supports their strength-based hunting tactics.
In this short clip, you will see how large hawks are compared to falcons:
Wings
Falcons, though smaller, boast longer wings with a wingspan that stretches from 29 to 47 inches. Their wings are slender, with clean, sharp edges and pointed tips, designed for speed and precision in the air.
Here is a photo of a Peregrine Falcon with its wings spread open:
On the contrary, hawks have a wingspan that’s relatively shorter for their size, ranging from 17 to 44 inches.
The following is a photo of a hawk in flight with its wings outstretched:
Their wings are characterized by a thicker, broader, and rounder shape, which aids in their ability to soar and maneuver with stability and strength.
Head and Beak Structure
Falcons have distinctively short and rounded heads, which sets them apart in the raptor family. Their beaks are also unique, featuring a notable notch or “tooth” at the tip, an adaptation for hunting.
Moreover, their eyes are darker and wider than those of hawks, which adds to their sharp, focused appearance.
As a quick reference, here is a close-up image of a falcon:
Hawks, in contrast, have pointier heads. Their beaks lack the notch found in falcons, with a smoother contour instead.
See this photo of a Red-tailed Hawk’s face:
Further, their eyes are narrower and display a variety of colors, including shades of yellow, red, and brown.
Fun Fact: Contrary to popular belief, beak shapes don’t always evolve based on diet. A 2016 study revealed that when falcons get bigger or smaller, their head shape changes in a set way, and their beak changes with it.
Coloration
Generally, falcons display an overall bluish-gray plumage. Males and females share this coloration, though females are distinguished by barred wings. This specific patterning differs from hawks, providing a unique identifier.
The following is a comparison of a falcon and a hawk:
As you can see, hawks typically wear a brownish-gray coat with dotted or striped bellies.
Additionally, there are also a number of hawks famous for their white heads, which are stunning to observe.
4. Flight Speed
In the avian world, falcons are the speed demons. They clock in flight speeds between 50 and 240 miles per hour. This incredible velocity is a hallmark of their predatory nature, particularly during a hunt.
Hawks, in comparison, exhibit a more modest speed range, with their flight topping out around 120 miles per hour. They are still adept flyers, but their hunting style relies less on speed and more on stealth and surprise.
Fun Fact: The Peregrine Falcon is the one that can reach speeds of 240 miles per hour during their stooping dive. But, they cruise at a more leisurely 50 to 60 miles per hour outside of these adrenaline-fueled dips.
5. Behavior and Hunting Techniques
Falcons are regarded as being alert, vocal, and intelligent. Typically solitary and resourceful, they employ a dynamic hunting technique involving diving and using their talons and toothed beaks to kill prey.
Contrarily, hawks are quieter and calmer. Their hunting method is one of patience: watching intently from a high perch before swooping down with precision to grasp prey with their strong talons.
6. Diet and Prey
In terms of nutrition, falcons are known for their carnivorous diet. These raptors hunt a variety of birds, reptiles, and small mammals.
They also consume insects and invertebrates, with carrion only occasionally featuring on their menu.
Hawks, on the flip side, are less fussy eaters. They often scavenge dead animal remains alongside hunting reptiles, other birds, small mammals, and insects.
In addition, they do not shy away from human leftovers, which showcases their opportunistic feeding habits.
7. Lifespan
Falcons have a relatively short lifespan, typically ranging from 5 to 17 years. The duration of their lives can be influenced by various factors, including habitat conditions and human activity.
In contrast, hawks often outlive falcons, with lifespans extending from 12 to 30 years. Their increased longevity is linked to their adaptable survival strategies.
8. Breeding and Nesting
Falcons enter their breeding season from February to May, during which they lay 1 to 5 eggs. These eggs then undergo a 33 to 35-day incubation period.
When it comes to nesting, falcons choose high-altitude nesting sites, often on cliffs as high as 1,300 feet. But they are also known to nest on building ledges, under bridges, and in raised roadways.
Contrastingly, hawks set their breeding season from late February to March, opting for the crowns of tall trees for their nests. Yet, it’s not uncommon for these birds to frequent human-made structures when needed.
Moreover, their egg clutches are slightly smaller, with 3 to 4 eggs that have a broader incubation period of 28 to 41 days.
Fun Fact: While hawks tend to be monogamous for just one season, falcons often pair for life.
9. Conservation Status
Among the falcon family, conservation statuses vary: five species, including the White-rumped Pygmy-falcon and the Orange-breasted Falcon, are classified as “Near-Threatened.”
A further six species are listed as “Vulnerable,” with two, the Mauritius Kestrel and the Saker Falcon, facing a higher risk as “Endangered.”
Hawks are also experiencing pressure, with nine of the 51 “true” hawks recognized by the IUCN in the Vulnerable category.
More concerning are the 18 hawk species considered Endangered, indicating they are at a higher risk of extinction in the wild.
How to Tell Them Apart
To differentiate falcons from hawks, scan their physical traits. Falcons have slender bodies, long wings, and round heads with dark, wide eyes. Hawks are bulkier, with shorter wings, pointier heads, and varied eye colors.
Observe their flight patterns and hunting behaviors as well. Falcons fly at high speeds, often seen diving sharply during hunting. Hawks, however, soar more gracefully and swoop down smoothly to catch their prey.
During one of my travels, I saw the Peregrine Falcon fold its wings and hurtle downwards. It slammed into a pheasant at a very fast speed — a classic falcon behavior.
On another trip, I witnessed a Red-tailed Hawk waiting patiently atop a dead tree until it spied a mouse in the field below. Then, dropping off its perch, the broad-winged raptor snatched up the rodent in its talons.
This shows a clear difference between the hunting style of the falcon and the hawk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Hawks and Falcons Related?
No, hawks and falcons are not related. They belong to different orders and families. Interestingly, falcons are genetically closer to parrots, thrushes, and honeyeaters than to hawks.
Falcon vs. Hawk Who Would Win?
If a hypothetical battle were to occur, a hawk’s larger size and strength could give it an advantage. Meanwhile, a falcon’s flight offers speed rather than brute force. Simply put, each has its own form of power in the wild.
But when we look at the two species in their natural environment, the answer becomes clearer — hawks have been known to kill and eat falcons.
Which Is Faster Hawk or Falcon?
In casual flight, hawks and falcons move at similar speeds, which is around 50 to 70 miles per hour.
During the hunt, though, falcons surge ahead, capable of hitting speeds up to 240 miles per hour, compared to hawks’ 120 miles per hour.
Despite the similarities between hawks and falcons, it is clear that they are two different kinds of raptors. If you have more questions or notable trivia about the hawk and falcon debate, feel free to comment below!
