Eagles and hawks are two groups of birds of prey that share some similarities but also have distinct differences. While they are in the same taxonomic order (Accipitriformes), eagles and hawks belong to different families and have diverged evolutionarily over millions of years. The debate around classifying eagles as hawks comes down to how bird of prey groups are defined.
Quick Answers
Eagles are not considered a type of hawk. While both are predatory birds, eagles and hawks belong to different scientific families – eagles are in the Accipitridae family while hawks are in the Falconidae family.
Taxonomy of Eagles and Hawks
All birds are classified scientifically based on their evolutionary relationships and genetics. Here is the taxonomic classification of eagles and hawks:
Eagles
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Examples – Aquila, Haliaeetus, Circaetus
Hawks
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Examples – Accipiter, Buteo, Falco
As seen above, eagles and hawks share the same order (Accipitriformes) but are in different scientific families. Eagles belong to Accipitridae while hawks are classified under Falconidae.
Differences Between Eagles and Hawks
Despite some similarities, eagles and hawks have a number of distinct differences:
- Size: Eagles are much larger than hawks on average. Many eagles have wingspans of over 6 feet long.
- Build: Eagles have bulkier, stockier builds compared to more slender, lightweight hawks.
- Beaks: Eagles have thicker, longer hooked beaks than hawks.
- Talons: Eagles have larger, more powerful talons to grip prey.
- Prey: Eagles are capable of taking down larger prey like deer due to their size and power. Hawks take smaller prey like rodents, reptiles and other birds.
- Vision: Eagles have up to 3x better vision than hawks.
- Habitat: Eagles frequent more open areas around mountains, coasts and wetlands compared to forested habitats favored by many hawks.
Similarities Between Eagles and Hawks
Despite being different families, eagles and hawks share some common traits and behaviors as birds of prey:
- Carnivorous predators
- Excellent vision – sharp eyesight to spot prey from afar
- Powerful talons that can grasp and kill prey
- Curved beaks for tearing meat
- Strong wings for swift flying and aerial maneuvers
- Solitary hunters
- Build nests high up in trees or cliffs
- Lay 2-3 eggs per clutch
- Nestlings take time to fledge and leave the nest
- Mate for life
- Play important ecological roles as apex predators
Unique Eagle Traits
Although eagles share many attributes with hawks, they have some distinctive traits not seen in hawks:
- Size – Eagles are significantly larger, weighing 8-14 lbs with 6-7 foot wingspans.
- Strength – Pound for pound, eagles are stronger than hawks. They can exert 500-700 psi of pressure with their talons.
- Diet – Eagles prey on larger animals like deer, seals and even bear cubs in some cases.
- Lifespan – Eagles live longer than most hawks, up to 30 years in the wild.
- Bald Head – The bald eagle is named for its distinctive white featherless head as an adult.
- Swift Divers – Some sea eagles like the bald eagle can dive at speeds over 75 mph to snatch fish.
- Scavenging – Eagles will eat carrion and are more likely to scavenge than hawks.
Unique Hawk Traits
Hawks have some defining features and behaviors that set them apart from eagles:
- Agility – Hawks are very agile and maneuverable in flight to weave through dense habitat.
- Speed – Some hawks like the peregrine falcon can reach speeds of 200 mph in a dive.
- Prey – Hawks hunt small prey like rodents, snakes, lizards and other birds in flight.
- Long Tails – Hawks have longer, fanned tails that aid in in-flight stability and steering.
- Migration – Many species of hawks migrate long distances seasonally between breeding and wintering grounds.
- Training – Hawks can be trained for falconry due to their intelligence and hunting instincts.
- Aerial Displays – Courtship flights and aerial demonstrations are more common in hawks than eagles.
Are Any Eagles Called Hawks?
No true eagles are referred to as “hawks”. There are no eagle species with the word “hawk” in their common name or scientific name.
Some individual eagles may incorrectly be called hawks by observers trying to generalize broad categories of raptors. But ornithologists and scientists do not classify any eagles within the hawk family Falconidae.
Harris’s Hawk vs. Harris’s Eagle
One source of confusion is the name Harris’s hawk. Harris’s hawk is a species in the Parabuteo genus of true hawks. There is no “Harris’s eagle” species.
Are Any Hawks Called Eagles?
Yes, some hawks are given the common name of “eagle” even though they are not true eagles:
- Philippine Eagle – Actually a serpent eagle (scientific name: Pithecophaga jefferyi). It is the largest of the serpent eagles but not closely related to true eagles.
- Black Eagle – Refers to black variants of hawk species like black kites or black-chested buzzard eagles which are not true eagles.
- Little Eagle – Name used for the African hawk eagle (scientific name: Hieraaetus spilogaster).
There are also many hawk species colloquially referred to as “buzzard eagles” or “hawk eagles” but these are all still hawks, not true eagles.
Taxonomic History
Classifying hawks and eagles has evolved over time with advancing ornithology research:
- Pre-1900s – Eagles and hawks grouped loosely into general “birds of prey” category.
- Early 1900s – Accipitridae family created for eagles, hawk eagles, kites.
- Mid 1900s – Falcons moved to Falconidae family, hawk eagles recognized as hawks.
- Present – Clear separation between accipitrid eagles and falconid hawks based on genetics.
Today, ornithologists and taxonomists recognize distinct genetic differences that classify eagles and hawks into separate families despite some superficial similarities.
Role of DNA Analysis
The ability to analyze DNA sequences revolutionized bird of prey taxonomy and illuminated the evolutionary relationships between raptor groups like eagles and hawks. Some key insights include:
- Confirmed eagles are more closely related to other Accipitridae like kites than hawks.
- Proved hawk eagles actually share more DNA ancestry with hawks than eagles.
- Revealed New World vultures are genetically similar to storks, not hawks as previously thought.
- Showed falcons are distinct enough to warrant their own family, Falconidae.
DNA analysis makes clear evolutionary lineages and relationships between different raptor groups. This helps taxonomic classification reflect true genetic differences rather than just outward appearance.
Confusion Between Terms
There is some confusion around the terms eagle and hawk:
- Eagle and hawk are often used interchangeably by non-experts.
- Some hawks have “eagle” in their common name despite not being true eagles taxonomically.
- Juvenile eagles are often misidentified as hawks due to similar barring patterns.
- Large hawks are sometimes mistake for small eagles by casual birdwatchers.
Proper identification requires looking closely at size, proportions, wing shape, tail length, beak thickness and other anatomical features. DNA analysis provides definitive classification in ambiguous cases.
Eagles Act Differently Than Hawks
Beyond taxonomy, eagles exhibit some strikingly different behaviors from hawks:
- Eagles soar for hours using thermals and updrafts whereas hawks fly by flapping.
- Eagles are less agile in flight than the quick, darting hawks.
- Eagles vocalizations are louder, higher pitched whistles compared to hawks.
- Eagles build huge stick nests that can be used for decades compared to smaller hawk nests.
- Eagles are generally less social and more solitary than some gregarious hawks.
- Eagles migrate less predictably and shorter distances than hawk migrations.
These habits reflect underlying adaptations that reinforce why eagles occupy a separate family from hawks despite some similarities.
Unique Eagle Hunting Styles
Eagles have evolved specialized hunting strategies to take down large prey other raptors can’t:
- Harpy Eagles – Ambush prey from high perches then attack with powerful talons.
- Martial Eagles – Chase prey on foot with wings half spread before finishing with a leaping strike.
- Golden Eagles – Knock prey off cliffs or mountainsides then scavenge the remains below.
- Steller’s Sea Eagles – Swoop in rapidly and snatch fish straight from the water’s surface.
These techniques are tailored to eagles’ unique capabilities and are not seen in hawks.
Conclusion
While eagles and hawks occupy the same order of raptors, taxonomic classification puts them firmly into separate families – Accipitridae for eagles and Falconidae for hawks. This reflects clear genetic differences that evolved over millions of years despite some superficial similarities. So eagles are definitively not considered a type of hawk. Calling any eagle species a hawk would be incorrect according to ornithology and avian taxonomy.