Both the broad-winged hawk and the red-tailed hawk are medium-sized hawks that are common across North America. However, there are some key differences between these two species when it comes to their size and appearance.
Quick Comparison of Sizes
In general, the red-tailed hawk is larger and more powerful than the broad-winged hawk. Some key size comparisons:
- Length:
- Red-tailed hawk: 19-25 inches
- Broad-winged hawk: 13-17 inches
- Wingspan:
- Red-tailed hawk: 49-57 inches
- Broad-winged hawk: 34-42 inches
- Weight:
- Red-tailed hawk: 2-3 pounds
- Broad-winged hawk: 1-2 pounds
As you can see, the red-tailed hawk is noticeably larger than the broad-winged hawk in terms of length, wingspan, and weight. The size difference becomes even more apparent when observing these hawks side-by-side in the wild.
Detailed Size Comparison
Now let’s take a more detailed look at how the sizes of these two hawk species compare.
Length
The red-tailed hawk has a total length of 19-25 inches, with females generally at the higher end of that range. The broad-winged hawk is smaller at 13-17 inches long. Here are some more details on the length of each:
- Red-tailed Hawk Length
- Total length: 19-25 inches
- Tail length: 8-12 inches
- Wings closed length: 15-19 inches
- Body length: 10-15 inches
- Broad-winged Hawk Length
- Total length: 13-17 inches
- Tail length: 5-7 inches
- Wings closed length: 11-14 inches
- Body length: 8-11 inches
The red-tailed hawk is noticeably longer in the tail, wings, and body. Their total length ranges do not overlap, indicating the consistent size difference between these species.
Wingspan
Wingspan is another key indicator of size in birds. The wingspan range for each hawk is:
- Red-tailed hawk: 49-57 inches
- Broad-winged hawk: 34-42 inches
The red-tailed hawk has a significantly larger wingspan, which contributes to its skill as a powerful hunter. The broad-winged hawk’s smaller wings make it more agile through dense woods and forests.
Weight
When it comes to weight, the red-tailed hawk is again the larger bird:
- Red-tailed hawk: 2-3 pounds
- Broad-winged hawk: 1-2 pounds
The red-tailed hawk averages about 2.5 pounds, while the broad-winged hawk is around 1.5 pounds on average. The lighter weight allows the broad-winged hawk to carry smaller prey items back to its nest.
Size Differences By Gender
Both hawk species exhibit some degree of reverse sexual dimorphism, where the females are noticeably larger than the males. Here are some size comparisons by gender:
Species | Gender | Length | Wingspan | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red-tailed Hawk | Female | 20-25 in | 51-57 in | 2.5-3.5 lbs |
Red-tailed Hawk | Male | 18-22 in | 47-53 in | 2-3 lbs |
Broad-winged Hawk | Female | 15-17 in | 36-40 in | 1.25-1.75 lbs |
Broad-winged Hawk | Male | 13-15 in | 34-38 in | 1-1.5 lbs |
As you can see, the female red-tailed hawk is noticeably larger than the male. The same size difference occurs between male and female broad-winged hawks. Comparing the genders shows that even the smallest red-tailed hawk (the male) is larger than the largest broad-winged hawk (the female).
Differences in Appearance and Proportions
Beyond the measurable size differences, the red-tailed hawk and broad-winged hawk have distinct visual appearances and proportions:
- Red-tailed hawk:
- Stocky, broad-chested body
- Relatively short, broad wings
- Long tail makes up nearly half its total length
- Broad-winged hawk:
- Slim body shape
- Long, broad wings in relation to body size
- Short tail
The red-tailed hawk’s stocky build and broad chest provide powerful muscles to sustain its active hunting lifestyle. In contrast, the smaller build of the broad-winged hawk allows for greater agility and speed when hunting within forests.
Why Is the Red-Tailed Hawk Larger?
There are some key reasons why the red-tailed hawk evolved to be the larger of these two species:
- Hunts more open habitats – The red-tailed hawk occupies open grasslands, deserts, and scrublands. A larger size provides an advantage when hunting over long distances in open areas.
- Generalist diet – Red-tails have an extremely diverse diet including small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Their large size enables them to take on a wider array of prey.
- Competitive advantages – Larger size helps red-tailed hawks compete with other birds of prey for hunting territories and food sources.
- Climate adaptation – The red-tailed hawk thrives across a diversity of climates from Alaska to Panama. Their size provides resilience in harsh northern winters.
Meanwhile, the smaller size of the broad-winged hawk likely evolved to support greater maneuverability when hunting within dense forests and navigating through complex cover.
Other Physical Features
While size is a key difference, the red-tailed hawk and broad-winged hawk can be identified by other physical features as well:
Red-Tailed Hawk
- Distinctive red tail in adults (juveniles have a brown banded tail)
- Broad, rounded wings
- Chunky body shape
- Dark patagial markings along leading edge of wings
- Dark bellyband across lower breast
Broad-Winged Hawk
- Broad white band along base of tail
- Long, broad wings relative to body size
- Slim build
- Dark stripes along head and nape
- Dark primary feathers contrast with paler secondaries
Once you learn to recognize these distinguishing characteristics, it becomes much easier to identify these hawks in the field.
Conclusion
In summary, the red-tailed hawk is noticeably larger than the broad-winged hawk in terms of length, wingspan, and weight. The size ranges of these species do not overlap. The red-tailed hawk’s larger size provides advantages for hunting in open habitats across a diversity of climates. Meanwhile, the more compact build of the broad-winged hawk supports its forest-hunting lifestyle. So next time you see a hawk soaring overhead, look for key identification clues like tail color, wing shape, and body proportions to determine if you’re observing one of these two common North American species.