Such soaring migrants, which can cover 250 to 300 miles a day, tend to avoid crossing large bodies of water and follow longer, more indirect routes over land where updrafts and thermals occur. Both of these birds are capable of killing each other. Most species are called goshawks or sparrowhawks, although almost all New World species (excepting the northern goshawk) are simply known as hawks.They can be anatomically distinguished from their relatives by the lack of a procoracoid foramen. The smallest is the Sharp-shinned Hawk (about the size of a robin), the medium sized is the Cooper's Hawk (about the size of a crow)and the largest is the Northern Goshawk (about the size of a Red-tailed Hawk). I might give the edge to the falcon, because of speed, but who knows. At times BUTEOS may act like a Accipiter. Relatively “broad-winged” species, including eagles, vultures and buteos, soar along updrafts and thermals to migrate long-distances.
They have somewhat-long wings and mid-length, semi-flexible tail feathers, allowing them to hunt fairly well in a variety of environments. When soaring the wings taper similar to a candle while other BUTEOS are squared or rounded. Buteos are the large, broad-winged, short-tailed lugs with spare and labored wing beats. 7 thoughts on “ Compare Falcon vs. Hawk ” Sher Khan November 6, 2018. Harris's Hawks (Parabuteos) are kind of in between Accipiters and Buteos. NOTE: The "Buteo" hawks below can be a significant identification challenge. These North American hawks vary from the small, 3-8 oz (85-227 g) sharp-shinned hawk, with a wingspan of about 2 ft (0.6 m), to the ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), with a wingspan of 4.5 ft (1.5 m). Ok. Let's put it this way: Difference between Eagles, Kites, Hawks and Falcons. This is the broadest category of raptor, and hawks may be further classified as accipiters (forest hawks) or buteos (open country hawks). A very small BUTEO with a stout & stubby appearance. Buteos include the rough-legged hawk, red-tailed hawk, broad-winged hawk, and red-shouldered hawk. They are pretty much the generalists of the raptor world. Wing beat is quick and choppy. Undersides of wings appear white with no markings and the tail is marked with broad white bands. As exciting as they are, raptors pose a number of identification challenges. Accipiters.
They are medium-sized, relatively stocky, and have broad wings for soaring. Falcons are slender- and pointy-winged speedsters with steadier wing flaps.
Generally, buteos have broad wings and sturdy builds. Buteos are stockier in build than the Accipiters. Accipiters are small, narrow-tailed forest dwellers with short, rapid, bursting flaps, punctuated by a glide.
They are relatively larger-winged, shorter-tailed and fly further distances in open areas than accipiters.
Eagles are different primarily because of their huge size; they may weigh from 8-20 lb (4-9 kg), with wingspans up to 8 ft (2.4 m). BROAD~WINGED HAWK. It could go either way. Because, Hawks and Falcons are very similar in terms of size and looks. There are 47 species of Accipiter world-wide with three species of Accipiters in North America. Hmm… This is a close one. Size and body shape are similar for many of these species, and while plumage differences are usually readily seen, differentiating species is complicated by the fact that most of these species have different color morphs, as well as different plumage characteristics between adult and juvenile birds. Their preferred food is often comprised of small mammal, but they will also feed on birds, reptiles, and even insects.