This is only a basic overview of the differences between these two birds. A second is a V-shaped white spotting on the back, sometimes referred to as “backpack lines.” One is the “belly band,” a darker mottled band contrasting with the lighter underside of the bird. On a perched bird, there are a few other markings that will tell you it’s a Red-tailed Hawk. This can be visible even on a bird that is soaring fairly high. Red-tails also have a darkly-colored bar on the front edges of their open wings. It can be identified by its large size and characteristic ruddy tail, as suggested in its name. Our most common Colorado hawk species is the Red-tailed Hawk, which is generally light in color underneath. Hawks, on the other hand, can range in color from very light to dark. Note this Red-tailed Hawk’s “belly-band.”Ĭolorado has two eagle species: Bald Eagles, which are dark in color but have bright white heads and tails, and Golden Eagles, which are dark all over except for the golden napes of their necks (which can be difficult to see on a bird in flight). Hawks will sometimes soar with wings held in a dihedral (a shallow v-shape), while eagles soar on flat or only slightly-raised wings. Both hawks and eagles fly high up, taking advantage of thermals (rising columns of warm air) to soar. Eagles tend to look larger overall, with straighter wings (sometimes described as “plank-like”), and an overall heavier look. Hawks have a similar appearance, but if you look carefully, you will notice that the wings of hawks tend to be more rounded, and they have short, broad, rounded tails and a stocky build. Eagles are much larger than hawks, and have longer wingspans. One of the most noticeable differences is their size. There are some basic differences, however, that you can use to tell the birds apart, especially in flight. This family includes a variety of species of both eagles and hawks, each with their own characteristics. Raptors include the birds we’re examining today - eagles and hawks - as well as owls (which you can read about in a previous post), and other species such as osprey, falcons, harriers, and kites.Įagles and hawks belong to the family Accipitridae. Bald Eagle.įirst of all, what is a raptor? Raptors are birds of prey that share three characteristics that aid them in hunting: superb eyesight, a hooked bill, and sharp talons. You can tell it’s a raptor, but what species is it? Sometimes, especially from a distance, it can be difficult to distinguish raptors such as eagles and hawks, or other large birds.
Say you’re looking up at the sky and you see a large, soaring bird.
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