Eagle and falcon are two strong birds of prey. Many people confuse them as the same bird species. However, there are many differences between eagles and falcons.

What is the difference between eagle and falcon? Eagles are larger and heavier with broad, wide wings, whereas falcons are smaller and lighter with thin, pointed wings. In addition, falcons are faster than eagles.

Key Areas Covered

1. Eagle
     – Features, Facts, & Behavior
2. Falcon
     – Features, Facts, & Behavior
3. Similarities Between Eagle and Falcon
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Eagle and Falcon
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Eagle and Falcon
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Eagle, Falcon

Eagle – Facts, Features, and Behavior

Eagles are large birds of prey from the Accipitridae family. They have strong, curved beaks, big feet, and powerful talons for catching and gripping prey. While they may look similar to vultures in flight, eagles have fully feathered heads, often with a crest.

Eagles are some of the largest birds of prey. The White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) has a wingspan of up to 8 feet, while the Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) is the heaviest, weighing around 7 kg. Female eagles are typically larger than males of the same species.

Eagles are skilled hunters and sit at the top of the food chain. They use their sharp talons to grasp prey and their strong, hooked beaks to tear flesh. Their diet depends on the species and can include fish, birds, snakes, or medium-sized animals. Eagles have excellent eyesight and can spot prey, like a rabbit, from up to three miles away before swooping down to catch it.

Eagle nests, called eyries, are built in high, inaccessible places, such as tall trees or cliffs. They reuse the same nest every year, adding new materials, which can make the nest large enough to damage the tree. Most eagle species lay an average of two eggs, but it is common for the older chick to kill the younger one to increase its own chances of survival.

Falcon – Facts, Features, and Behavior

Falcons are fast-flying birds of prey from the genus Falco. There are about 40 different species of falcons. Some smaller falcons have long, narrow wings and are called hobbies, while those that hover while hunting are known as kestrels.

Adult falcons have thin, tapered wings, which allow them to fly at high speeds and make quick turns. Young falcons, called fledglings, have longer flight feathers. This helps them learn to fly before mastering the skills of adult hunters.

Unlike eagles and hawks, which use their talons to kill prey, falcons have a special “tooth” on the side of their beak to deliver a quick, precise kill. They belong to the Falconinae subfamily within the Falconidae family.

The largest falcon is the gyrfalcon, which grows up to 65 cm (26 in) long, while the smallest falcon is the pygmy falcon, measuring just 20 cm (7.9 in).

Similarities Between Eagle and Falcon

• Both eagles and falcons are birds of prey.
• They have excellent vision.
• Both have strong, curved beaks for tearing flesh.
• They are solitary hunters.

Difference Between Eagle and Falcon

Definition

• Eagles are large birds of prey from the Accipitridae family, whereas falcons are fast-flying birds of prey from the Falconinae subfamily of Falconidae.

Size

• Eagles are larger and heavier, whereas falcons are smaller and lighter.

Wings

• Eagles have broad, wide wings for soaring, whereas falcons have thin, pointed wings for fast, agile flight.

Speed

• Eagles fly steadily and use their strength to hunt, but falcons are faster and use speed and quick turns to catch prey.

Hunting Method

• While eagles kill with their strong talons (claws), falcons use a “tooth” on their beak to kill prey.

Vision

• Eagles have stronger long-distance vision.

Prey

• Eagles hunt larger animals like fish, birds, and small mammals, whereas falcons mainly hunt smaller birds and insects.

Flying Style

• Eagles soar for long distances with slow, powerful wingbeats, while falcons flap their wings rapidly and dive at incredible speeds.

FAQ: Eagle and Falcon

1. Who is faster, eagle or falcon?

Falcons are faster than eagles. The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird and can reach speeds of over 320 km/h when diving. In comparison, eagles are much slower, usually reaching speeds of 120–160 km/h when diving.

2. Are falcons part of the eagle family?

No, falcons are not part of the eagle family. Eagles belong to the Accipitridae family, which also includes hawks and vultures. Falcons belong to the Falconidae family.

3. How can you tell the difference between an eagle and a hawk?

Eagles are bigger and stronger than hawks and have wider wings and larger beaks. Hawks are smaller and more agile and have sharper, more pointed wings. Eagles soar high for long distances, while hawks fly with quick wingbeats and glide more often.

4. What’s the difference between a falcon and a hawk?

Falcons have thin, pointed wings and fly very fast, while hawks have broader wings and glide more. Moreover, falcons kill with their beaks, but hawks use their talons. Falcons also have a sleek body, while hawks look bulkier.

5. Can a falcon beat an eagle?

No, an eagle would likely beat a falcon in a fight. Eagles are larger, stronger, and have more powerful talons. Falcons are faster, but they are smaller and rely on speed to catch prey rather than physical strength.

Reference: 

1. “Falcon.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation. 
2. “Eagle.” Bird Life. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “A Portrait of a Falcon” By Hari K Patibanda – A Portrait of a Falcon (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Eagle” (CC0) Pxhere