Eagles and falcons are two types of birds of prey that share some similarities but also have key differences. Both eagles and falcons belong to the taxonomic order Falconiformes, which means they are more closely related to each other than they are to other types of birds. However, eagles and falcons belong to different families within the Falconiformes order. Eagles are members of the Accipitridae family while falcons belong to the Falconidae family.
Quick Answers
Are eagles and falcons closely related?
Yes, eagles and falcons are closely related as they both belong to the Falconiformes order of birds. However, they belong to different families within this order.
What order do eagles and falcons belong to?
Eagles and falcons both belong to the order Falconiformes. This order contains diurnal birds of prey including falcons, eagles, hawks, kites, and others.
What families do eagles and falcons belong to?
Eagles belong to the Accipitridae family while falcons belong to the Falconidae family. Both families are part of the Falconiformes order.
Are eagles more closely related to other eagles or to falcons?
Eagles are more closely related to other eagles than they are to falcons. This is because eagles all belong to the Accipitridae family while falcons are in a separate family known as Falconidae.
Are falcons more closely related to other falcons or to eagles?
Like eagles, falcons are more closely related to other falcons than they are to eagles. All falcons belong to the Falconidae family while eagles are members of the Accipitridae family.
Taxonomy and Classification
Taxonomically, both eagles and falcons belong to the kingdom Animalia (animals), phylum Chordata (animals with spinal cords), class Aves (birds), and order Falconiformes. The Falconiformes order contains diurnal raptors including falcons, eagles, hawks, vultures, and others. This order is divided into five families:
- Accipitridae – Includes eagles, buzzards, hawks, kites, and others
- Falconidae – Includes falcons, caracaras, and falconets
- Pandionidae – Includes just one living species, the osprey
- Sagittariidae – Includes secretarybirds
- Cathartidae – Includes New World vultures
As you can see from the family names above, eagles belong to the Accipitridae family while falcons are members of the Falconidae family. So while they share similarities and are closely related as birds of prey, eagles and falcons belong to distinct taxonomic families within the overall Falconiformes order. Eagles are more closely related to other eagles just as falcons are more closely related to other falcons than they are to eagles or other families.
Some key features differentiate the Accipitridae and Falconidae families:
Accipitridae Family (Eagles)
- Strong, large hooked beaks
- Strong legs and large talons
- Keen eyesight
- Build large nests in trees or on cliffs
- Hunt mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish
Falconidae Family (Falcons)
- Pointed beaks with characteristic “tooth”
- Long pointed wings
- Very keen eyesight
- Do not build nests, use abandoned nests or cliffs
- Primarily hunt birds and sometimes small mammals
So while eagles and falcons share general raptor features, their specific hunting adaptations and preferred prey differ between families.
Size Differences
In addition to taxonomy, eagles and falcons differ significantly in their size and proportions. Eagles are substantially larger than falcons.
Eagles
Eagles have large, powerful bodies with broad wings and large talons. The largest eagle species have wingspans of up to 8 feet and can weigh over 20 pounds! Even smaller eagle species weigh 4-6 pounds with wingspans of 5-7 feet across. Their large size aids in hunting and attacking large prey.
Some of the largest eagle species include:
- Steller’s sea eagle – 8 feet wingspan, up to 20 pounds
- Harpy eagle – 7 feet wingspan, up to 20 pounds
- Philippine eagle – 7 feet wingspan, up to 18 pounds
- Golden eagle – 7.5 feet wingspan, up to 15 pounds
- Bald eagle – 7 feet wingspan, up to 15 pounds
- Martial eagle – 6.5 feet wingspan, up to 14 pounds
Falcons
In contrast, falcons have compact, streamlined bodies with long, pointed wings and tails. They are built for speed and agility in flight. Falcons weigh just 1-3 pounds, with wingspans around 3-4 feet. The largest falcon species can weigh up to 6 pounds. Their small size allows them to capture bird prey in mid-air.
Some of the larger falcon species include:
- Gyrfalcon – 4 feet wingspan, up to 4.5 pounds
- Peregrine falcon – 3.5 feet wingspan, up to 3 pounds
- Prairie falcon – 3 feet wingspan, up to 2 pounds
- Red-footed falcon – 2.5 feet wingspan, up to 1.25 pounds
The huge size discrepancy between large eagles and small falcons correlates to differences in their preferred prey and hunting styles. Eagles’ large powerful talons allow them to snatch up large prey like deer fawns and foxes, while the compact size and aerial agility of falcons let them capture birds on the wing.
Habitat and Range
Eagles and falcons also differ in their habitat preferences and geographic distributions:
Eagles
- Found on every continent except Antarctica
- Occur in diverse habitats including forests, deserts, wetlands, mountains
- Build nests on cliffs, in trees, on the ground
- Some species live near waterways and coasts
Examples:
- Bald eagle – North America, near coasts, rivers, and lakes
- African fish eagle – Africa, along rivers and lakes
- Golden eagle – Northern Hemisphere, mountains and open country
- Wedge-tailed eagle – Australia, range of habitats
Falcons
- Occur worldwide but greatest diversity in arid regions
- Cliffsides and open country habitats
- Do not build nests, use cliffs and abandoned nests
- Migrate long distances in some species
Examples:
- Peregrine falcon – Worldwide, cliffs along coasts or rivers
- Gyrfalcon – Arctic regions, barren tundra
- Lanner falcon – Africa, Arabia, open arid habitats
- Grey falcon – Australia, scrub and woodlands
The habitat and range differences reflect adaptations of the two families. Eagles frequent areas with large prey like fish and waterbirds near water features. Falcons occur in open areas and habitat edges where they can use speed and aerial maneuverability to catch bird prey.
Hunting and Diet
As birds of prey, eagles and falcons share excellent vision, powerful talons, and curved beaks tearing prey. However, they differ in their hunting strategies and diet:
Eagles
- Perch and scan terrain, then stoop down and snatch prey
- Use size and strength to grab large prey in talons
- Can kill prey up to size of foxes and deer fawns
- Broad diet includes fish, waterbirds, gamebirds, snakes, carrion
Falcons
- Spot prey from afar then pursue in fast flight
- Use speed and aerial agility to capture birds in mid-air
- Prey mainly on birds and some small mammals
- Streamlined shape allows high speed dives called stoops
The hunting and diet differences relate to the size differences between eagles and falcons. Eagles’ larger size and strength let them prey on larger animals that falcons could not handle. But falcons are faster fliers adapted to grabbing bird prey from the air in rapid dives.
Reproduction
Eagles and falcons share similarities in their reproductive behaviors, though some differences occur:
Eagles
- Build large stick nests in trees or on cliffs
- Lay 1-3 eggs per clutch
- Incubation 30-45 days
- Fledging period 70-100+ days
- Sexual maturity 4-6 years
- Mate for life in some species
Falcons
- Do not build nests, use cliffs, buildings, old nests
- Lay 2-6 eggs per clutch
- Incubation 28-35 days
- Fledging period 35-42 days
- Sexual maturity 1-3 years
- Form temporary pair bonds each season
Key similarities show their relationships as raptors – egg laying, incubating, fledging young. Differences like nesting sites and pair bonds relate to ecology – eagles as larger territorial birds and falcons migrating and needing quicker breeding.
Species Recognition
Despite similarities, eagles and falcons can be distinguished by observation:
Eagle Identification
- Large, broad wings and bulky bodies
- Long, evenly broad tails
- Relatively small heads and thick necks
- Large curved beaks
- May have feathered legs
Falcon Identification
- Streamlined, pointed wings and tails
- Tapered tails and thin necks
- Pointed beaks with distinct “tooth”
- Banded or spotted plumage patterns
- Tend to fly in direct, rapid flight
The silhouette and flight pattern can help identify an eagle versus a falcon even at a distance. Unique features like the falcon’s “tooth” take close observation to distinguish them.
Similarities and Differences Summary
Trait | Eagles | Falcons |
---|---|---|
Taxonomy | Accipitridae Family | Falconidae Family |
Size | Large and bulky, up to 20+ lbs | Small and streamlined, 1-3 lbs |
Habitat | Forests, wetlands, mountains | Open country, deserts, cliffs |
Prey | Mammals, fish, carrion | Mainly birds |
Hunting | Perch and stoop | Spot and pursue in flight |
Nesting | Build large stick nests | Use cliff ledges or old nests |
Similarities
- Raptors with excellent vision
- Strong grasping talons
- Curved beaks for tearing prey
- Sexual maturity in several years
Differences
- Eagles much larger in size
- Eagles build nests, falcons don’t
- Eagles take larger prey
- Falcons are faster fliers
- Eagles mate for life, falcons don’t
So in summary, while eagles and falcons share some traits as birds of prey, they belong to separate families adapted to different ecological niches based on their size, habitat, diet, and behaviors. Their distinctive features and adaptations differentiate eagles as larger, powerful hunters and falcons as sleeker, faster fliers.
Conclusion
Eagles and falcons are closely related birds of prey that share similarities but also have key differences. They both belong to the Falconiformes order but are members of separate families, Accipitridae and Falconidae respectively. Eagles are substantially larger and stronger with different habitat and prey preferences compared to smaller, sleeker falcons adapted for speed and agility. While they have some common traits as raptors, eagles and falcons have evolved distinct sizes, physiologies, and behaviors to fill different ecological roles as apex avian predators. Their distinctive adaptations allow eagles and falcons to thrive as successful hunters, collectively showcasing the remarkable diversity of raptorial birds.