Falcons and eagles are both very respected and feared in the bird community. They are both very deadly and fast and can easily attack and kill their prey. However, even though their behaviors and looks may seem pretty similar, you will find many differences between them if you inspect closely.
If you are interested in birds and, more so, in falcons and eagles, you have surely wondered about the characteristics of falcon vs eagle, Especially about what makes them different from each other.
Fortunately for you, we will explain all the differences there are between falcons and eagles.
Falcon Vs Eagle
At first glance, both the eagle and the falcon look very similar. From a distance, you might not even be able to distinguish them at all.
Before, scientists, too, were confused as they had grouped these two ferocious birds in the same group. But after DNA analysis, it has now been found that they belong to different families.
Even though there are some similarities between them, they have some pretty distinguishable features which will help you separate them.
Explained below are the differences between falcon and eagle.
- Taxonomy
Both falcons and eagles have somewhat the same taxonomy as their kingdom is Animalia, the phylum is Chordata, class is Aves, and order is Falconiformes.
But they differ in their family as falcons are from the Falconidae family, and eagles are from the Accipitridae family.
- Species
Falcons have more than 40 species, and eagles have more than 60 species.
- Size
Eagle is more prominent than falcon in size. The height of an average eagle is 40 to 110 centimeters, whereas the height of an average falcon is 20 to 70 centimeters.
In the case of weight, an eagle weighs 450 grams to 10 kilograms, and a falcon weighs 70 grams to 1.5 grams.
- Wings
The shape of eagle’s wings is round, and they are broad in size. On the other hand, the wings of falcons are pointy and long.
- Wingspan
An eagle has a more enormous wingspan than a falcon. The average wingspan of an eagle is 110 centimeters to 3 meters, and the average wingspan of a falcon is 50 to 140 centimeters.
- Color
Eagles are brown, golden, grey, and black in color. Falcon is usually white, silver, black, and red in color.
- Eyes
Eagles have a ridge over their eyes that look like eyebrows. But falcons do not have this feature.
The eye color of eagles is yellow, whereas flacons have dark brown, black, and sometimes blue eyes.
- Legs
Falcons’ feet color varies from greet yellow. On the other hand, eagles have thick-feathered legs.
- Tomial Tooth
Falcons have tomial teeth to help with their hunting and killing of their prey. However, eagles do not have this feature to help with their hunting.
- Sounds
Eagle has a screech of high pitch. On the other hand, the sound of a falcon ranges from a shriek to a whistle.
- Preys
An eagle commonly preys on mammals, fish, waterfowl, snakes, and turtles. The preys of a falcon are rabbits, small birds, and rats.
- Preying Technics
Eagles swoop in to capture their prey and kill them with their talons. They might also eat their prey alive.
Falcons fly close to the ground and dive deep to strike and catch their prey. After they catch their prey, the falcons hurtle them to the ground, where they die. Falcons never eat their prey alive.
- Habitat
Eagles mainly reside in deserts, lands of grass, and arctic tundra. For falcons, they primarily dwell in lowlands or forests.
Eagles are spread all over Canada, Australia, South America, the United States, Africa, and Eurasia. Falcons are mainly found in Asia, Europe, and North America.
- Speed
A falcon is faster than an eagle. The flying speed of falcons is up to 250 mph or 400 kph. However, the speed of eagles is up to 210 mph or 330 kph.
- Body
Eagles have a larger body than falcons. Falcons are pretty slim, whereas eagles are wide-chested.
- Aggressiveness
For a hunting bird, falcons are pretty tame and non-aggressive in nature. On the contrary, eagles are quite hostile and aggressive.
- Lifespan
Eagles live up to 40 to 50 years but live longer if kept in captivity. Falcons have a very short lifespan of 5 to 7 years, and they, too, live longer when kept in captivity.
- Gender Identification
Usually, male and female falcons are pretty non-distinguishable. But if you look at their throat and chest, you will find that they have different patterns and colors.
For eagles, the male birds are smaller than the female birds.
- Eggs
Falcons lay 3 to 4 white eggs at a time with dark brown stains. On the contrary, eagles lay 1 to 2 white eggs at a time with light brown spots.
- Nests
Falcons build their nests in gravel and debris. Eagles make large nests with sticks and twigs.
Eagles form their nests, called eyries, on top of high cliffs and tall trees. Falcons usually build their nests in large towers and buildings.
Who Would Win in a Fight?
An eagle would win over a falcon in a fight. Eagle is stronger and larger than falcon, they have sharper talons, which have the ability to cause extreme injury. They also have a very strong beak to tear apart their opponent, which in this case, is a falcon.
However, if the falcon ambushes the eagle and hits it with all its might, it will have a better chance of winning. On the other hand, if the eagle can clutch the falcon, the falcon will have no chance of winning.
In case of a stealth attack by the falcon on the eagle, if the eagle overcomes the attack, the falcon will definitely lose and die in the fight.
So, in all kinds of fights, it is most likely that the eagle will win and the falcon will lose.
Final Words
Now you know all there is to know about falcon vs eagle, from their taxonomy to who will win in a fight. From now on, you will not confuse between falcon and eagle anymore; you will recognize them at first glance. You can use all this knowledge to impress others too.
