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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Falcons and hawks are both diurnal birds of prey, but they are not the same kind of bird. Falcons belong to the family Falconidae; most birds commonly called hawks belong to Accipitridae. Falcons often have pointed wings and hunt in the air, while hawks have more varied shapes and hunting styles.
Falcon vs. hawk: the quick comparison
| Feature | Falcons | Hawks |
|---|---|---|
| Typical family | Falconidae | Usually Accipitridae |
| Wing shape | Often long, narrow, and pointed | Often broader and more varied; forest hawks may have shorter wings |
| Bill | Hooked, with a distinctive tomial tooth or notch | Hooked, generally without the falcon’s tomial tooth |
| How prey is killed | Often with the bill, including a bite to the neck | Commonly with the feet and talons |
| Typical hunting style | Aerial pursuit and rapid dives in many species | Soaring, ambushing, gliding attacks, or pursuit, depending on the species |
| Examples | Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel, Merlin, Gyrfalcon | Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk |
1. They belong to different evolutionary groups
Falcons belong to Falconidae, a family that includes falcons and caracaras. Familiar hawks such as Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and Broad-winged Hawks are generally accipitrids. Accipitridae also includes eagles and kites.
DNA research shows that falcons are more closely related to parrots than to hawks and eagles. Their similar predatory features reflect convergent evolution: different lineages developed comparable traits in response to similar ecological demands.
“Hawk” is a less precise name
“Falcon” generally refers to a consistent bird group, while “hawk” is a looser common-name label. Traditional names can be misleading:
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- The osprey was once called a “fish hawk,” but it is not an accipitrid hawk.
- The Northern Harrier was formerly called a “marsh hawk.”
- The Peregrine Falcon was once called a “duck hawk.”
- The Merlin was once called a “pigeon hawk.”
- The American Kestrel was once called a “sparrow hawk.”
- The Common Nighthawk is actually a nightjar, not a hawk.
For identification, use the recognized species name or scientific classification rather than relying on a common name.
2. Falcons usually have more pointed wings
Many falcons have long, narrow, pointed wings suited to fast, controlled flight. The Peregrine Falcon is a classic example.
Many familiar hawks have broader wings. Red-tailed Hawks have the broad, rounded wings and short, wide tail typical of many Buteo hawks, proportions useful for soaring and circling over open country.
There are exceptions. Forest-dwelling accipiters such as Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks have shorter wings and long tails for maneuvering among trees. Some falconids, including caracaras and forest falcons, also do not fit the classic pointed-wing image.
Wing shape reflects habitat and hunting behavior as well as family identity. Treat it as a clue, not an absolute rule.
3. Falcons have a notched bill
Most true falcons have a hooked bill with a small tooth-like projection called a tomial tooth. The notch helps them kill and dismantle prey, particularly birds. Falcons also have a bony tubercle inside the nostril, another feature distinguishing them from accipitrid hawks.
Hawks also have strong, hooked bills, but generally lack the falcon’s tomial tooth. Many rely more heavily on their feet and talons to seize, hold, or subdue prey.
The bill notch can help with close identification, but it is rarely visible on a distant bird. Wing and tail shape, flight style, and plumage are more practical clues in the field.
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4. Falcons are often aerial hunters
Many falcons hunt in open airspace. Peregrine Falcons may wait on a high perch before launching after another bird. Their rapid hunting dive is called a stoop.
The Peregrine Falcon is renowned for exceptionally fast hunting dives. Published speed figures vary depending on how the dive is measured, and those extreme speeds refer to a stoop, not ordinary level flight.
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Not every falcon hunts by diving at birds. Falconidae includes species that hunt insects, mammals, reptiles, bats, or birds; some hunt from perches or use other pursuit techniques.
5. Hawks use many hunting strategies
“Hawk” covers varied birds, so there is no single hawk hunting style.
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- Broad-winged Hawks commonly hunt small animals from perches below forest canopies.
- Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks use maneuverable bodies to pursue birds through wooded areas.
- Other accipitrids may soar, hover, fish, scavenge, or hunt reptiles and mammals.
“Hawks soar and falcons dive” is a useful beginner’s shortcut, not a biological dividing line. Hawks can pursue birds or dive, and falcons can hunt from perches.
6. Size does not reliably tell them apart
Falcons are not always smaller than hawks. Their sizes overlap, and females are often larger than males.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology gives adult Peregrine Falcon weights of approximately 530–1,600 grams and Red-tailed Hawk weights of approximately 690–1,460 grams. A large female Peregrine and a small Red-tailed Hawk can therefore overlap considerably in mass. Gyrfalcons are large falcons, while Sharp-shinned Hawks are relatively small hawks.
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Size can support an identification when combined with other clues, but it is a poor stand-alone test. Distance, posture, wind, age, and sex can affect how large a bird appears.
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Both groups are predators adapted to locate and catch prey. Depending on the species, they share:
- Sharp talons and strong feet
- Hooked bills
- Forward-facing eyes and excellent vision
- Female-biased size differences in many species
These similarities reflect similar predatory lifestyles, even though falcons and accipitrid hawks are not close relatives.
How to tell a falcon from a hawk in the field
When a raptor is too far away for bill details, combine several observations rather than relying on one feature.
- Start with the wings. Long, narrow, pointed wings suggest a falcon. Broad, rounded wings often indicate a soaring Buteo hawk.
- Check the tail. Falcons often have a relatively long, narrow tail. Many Buteo hawks have a shorter, broader tail.
- Watch the flight. Fast, direct flight may suggest a falcon. Circling, gliding, or kiting is common in many Buteo hawks.
- Consider the habitat. Peregrine Falcons may use cliffs, bridges, towers, and skyscrapers; Red-tailed Hawks are common along fields, roadsides, and other open areas.
- Use plumage carefully. Age, sex, region, and individual variation matter. Red-tailed Hawks occur in light, intermediate, and dark forms, and juveniles do not look like adults.
- Do not use size alone. There is substantial overlap between species and sexes.
- Do not infer family from the common name. “Fish hawk,” “duck hawk,” and “pigeon hawk” show that traditional names do not always describe modern classification.
FAQ
Are falcons and hawks the same bird?
No. Falcons generally belong to Falconidae, while most birds called hawks belong to Accipitridae. They share raptor traits but are separate evolutionary groups.
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Which is faster, a falcon or a hawk?
Many falcons are adapted for fast flight, and Peregrine Falcons are famous for exceptionally rapid hunting dives called stoops. Hawks vary widely, so speed is not a dependable family-wide comparison.
Are falcons smaller than hawks?
Not always. Species sizes overlap, and females are often larger than males. Gyrfalcons can be large, while Sharp-shinned Hawks are relatively small.
How can I identify a falcon from far away?
Combine wing and tail shape, flight style, habitat, and plumage. Pointed wings and fast, direct flight can suggest a falcon, but no single clue works for every species.
Sources and further reading
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Falcon evolutionary relationships
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Falconidae
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Peregrine Falcon identification
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Red-tailed Hawk identification
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Broad-winged Hawk identification
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Traditional bird names containing “hawk”
- Animal Diversity Web: Falconidae
- Animal Diversity Web: Accipitridae
The Bottom Line
Falcons are generally members of the defined family Falconidae, while “hawk” is a broader and less precise common-name category usually associated with Accipitridae. Falcons often have pointed wings, a notched bill, and a talent for aerial pursuit. Hawks display more varied body shapes and hunting methods. For a reliable identification, combine wing shape, tail shape, flight style, habitat, and plumage—not size or the common name alone.
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