Both red-tailed hawks and eagles are large, powerful birds of prey. However, eagles tend to be significantly larger than red-tailed hawks. The size difference between these two types of raptors is apparent when looking at their dimensions and weight.
Wingspan
An eagle’s wingspan is much broader than a red-tailed hawk’s wingspan. The wingspan refers to the distance from one wingtip to the other when the bird’s wings are fully outstretched.
A red-tailed hawk has an average wingspan of about 4 feet (1.2 meters). The largest red-tailed hawks may reach up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) across, from wingtip to wingtip. However, most red-tailed hawks measure between 3.5 and 4 feet across.
In comparison, eagles have much more sizeable wingspans:
- Bald eagles: 6 to 7.5 feet on average (1.8 to 2.3 meters)
- Golden eagles: 6 to 7.5 feet on average (1.8 to 2.3 meters)
- Steller’s sea eagles: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
This table summarizes the typical wingspan differences:
Bird | Average Wingspan |
---|---|
Red-tailed hawk | 4 feet |
Bald eagle | 6 to 7.5 feet |
Golden eagle | 6 to 7.5 feet |
Steller’s sea eagle | 8 feet |
As the table shows, even the largest red-tailed hawks fall short of the wingspan of most eagle species. The broad wingspans of eagles allow them to soar and glide over long distances with minimal effort.
Length
In addition to wingspan, the body length of eagles is greater than that of red-tailed hawks. Length is measured from the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail.
Red-tailed hawks are about 18 to 25 inches (45 to 65 centimeters) long. That pales in comparison to eagles:
- Bald eagles: 30 to 43 inches long (76 to 109 cm)
- Golden eagles: 27 to 33 inches long (68 to 84 cm)
- Steller’s sea eagles: 30 to 37 inches long (75 to 95 cm)
The below table illustrates the typical length differences between the birds:
Bird | Average Length |
---|---|
Red-tailed hawk | 18 to 25 inches |
Bald eagle | 30 to 43 inches |
Golden eagle | 27 to 33 inches |
Steller’s sea eagle | 30 to 37 inches |
The greater body length of eagles is indicative of their larger overall stature compared to red-tailed hawks.
Weight
The most significant size difference between red-tailed hawks and eagles is seen in their weight. Eagles tend to be multiple times heavier than red-tailed hawks.
On average, red-tailed hawks weigh between 2 and 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.4 kilograms). The very largest red-tailed hawks may reach 4 pounds (1.8 kg).
In comparison, eagles commonly weigh:
- Bald eagles: 8 to 14 pounds (3.6 to 6.4 kg)
- Golden eagles: 7 to 14 pounds (3.2 to 6.4 kg)
- Steller’s sea eagles: 11 to 20 pounds (5 to 9 kg)
Here is a table illustrating the typical weight differences:
Bird | Average Weight |
---|---|
Red-tailed hawk | 2 to 3 pounds |
Bald eagle | 8 to 14 pounds |
Golden eagle | 7 to 14 pounds |
Steller’s sea eagle | 11 to 20 pounds |
The heaviest eagles are over 5 times heavier than an average sized red-tailed hawk. This considerable size difference gives eagles the power and stamina to take down large prey.
Differences in Hunting Strategy
The variance in size between red-tailed hawks and eagles leads to differences in their hunting strategies and diet. The larger size of eagles allows them to pursue bigger prey.
Red-tailed hawks mainly hunt small mammals like rodents, rabbits, and squirrels. They may also eat smaller birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Given their smaller stature, red-tailed hawks are not equipped to take down large animals.
In comparison, eagles are able to prey on bigger game:
- Bald eagles: fish, waterfowl, turtles, rabbits, snakes
- Golden eagles: hares, marmots, foxes, young deer
- Steller’s sea eagles: large fish, seabirds, seals
An eagle’s greater size and strength allows it to grasp large prey in its talons and carry it off with ease. For instance, a Steller’s sea eagle can swoop down and pick up a 30-pound seal to bring back to its nest. Red-tailed hawks lack the capability to lift such heavy loads.
The wingspans of eagles also facilitate hunting success. Their broad wingspans enable eagles to swiftly dive down and ambush prey from above. Red-tailed hawks’ narrower wingspans make them less stealthy hunters.
Differences in Habitat
In addition to hunting tactics, the size of red-tailed hawks and eagles influences the type of habitat they occupy. The compact build of red-tailed hawks allows them to hunt in forests and wooded areas. They can swiftly maneuver through dense vegetation when chasing prey. Their shorter wingspan also enables red-tailed hawks to abruptly change direction to catch prey by surprise.
Conversely, eagles frequent open habitats like mountains, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal regions. Their large wingspans are better suited to expansive environments where they can fly high above the landscape. An eagle would struggle to hunt within the confines of a dense forest due to its substantial size.
Nest Size
One final point of difference between red-tailed hawks and eagles is nest size. Given their larger bodies, eagles build significantly bigger nests.
Red-tailed hawk nests are up to 2 feet wide and 3 feet deep. They are constructed out of sticks and twigs, lined with bark, leaves, and other soft materials.
Eagles construct massive nests to accommodate their greater girth. Eagle nest dimensions include:
- Bald eagle nests: 4 to 6 feet wide and 2 to 4 feet tall
- Golden eagle nests: up to 8 feet wide and 12 feet deep
- Steller’s sea eagle nests: up to 11 feet wide and 16 feet deep
Some additional characteristics of eagles’ nests include:
- Typically built in tall trees or cliff sides
- Made from interwoven sticks and branches
- Reinforced with moss, grass, seaweed
- Often used for multiple seasons and grow bigger over time
The monumental nests built by eagles provide ample room to raise and foster eaglets. Red-tailed hawks have more modest space requirements given their smaller stature.
Conclusion
While red-tailed hawks and eagles occupy the same avian niche as apex predators, eagles are clearly the larger and more powerfully-built raptor. This size advantage gives many eagle species the ability to hunt bigger prey and inhabit more open landscapes. Additionally, the nests and hunting strategies of eagles reflect adaptations to their more substantial body size.
So in answer to the original question, red-tailed hawks are significantly smaller and less bulky than eagles. The considerable variance in their wingspan, length, weight, and habits demonstrates that red-tailed hawks definitely do not measure up to eagles in terms of size and strength.