

Falcons mainly flap their wings, but may occasionally glide along cliffs. Hawks are known for their “flap-flap-glide” flying pattern. Hawks have a simple curve on their beaks, whereas falcons have a notched beak or a side tooth. Falcons have long, tapered wings which allow them to fly fast in open spaces. In general, hawks have short and broad wings which allow them to glide through shrubs and trees. Hawks belong to the family Accipitridae while falcons belong to the genus Falco. What, then, is the difference between a hawk and a falcon? They do not build their own nests, but they dwell in cavities on cliffs. Sometimes, they kill their prey and eat them in midair.įalcons thrive in open spaces. They grab their prey using their talons and kill them with their beaks by stabbing, biting, or severing the neck. Their wings are so thin, they look springy when they flap.īeing carnivorous, falcons eat smaller birds and flying insects. They beat their wings to fly but may also glide along cliffs. They are excellent fliers and possess extraordinary visual acuity.įalcons use their long, thin, tapered wings to fly at fast speeds and change directions easily in open spaces. They have long, sickle-shaped wings and a side tooth. The term falcon includes about 40 species of diurnal predatory birds that belong to the genus Falco. A female hawk can lay up to five eggs in a year.ĭifference between a Bobcat and a Mountain Lion A Peregrine Falcon The fledglings will solely rely on their parents for food until they leave for good at six weeks old. Both male and female take care of the eggs until they hatch after a month. This nest is where the female hawk will lay its eggs. Before early spring, which is their mating season, the male hawk and female hawk prepare their nest. Most hawk species stay with a single mating partner all throughout its life. They kill their prey using their powerful talons before eating them. They typically eat small birds, but may also eat small ground-dwelling creatures like grasshoppers, crickets, squirrels, fish, snakes, and rats. Hawks usually look for food just before the sun sets. Bird enthusiasts call this pattern the “flap-flap-glide” pattern. Once they gain momentum, they drift smoothly through the air. Hawks beat their short wings quickly when flying.

They also have multiple photoreceptors in their eyes, which gives them very sharp vision. They have long talons and short, broad wings which allow them to glide through shrubs and trees. Hawks are predatory birds that belong to the family Accipitridae. Hawk Falcon Belongs to the family Accipitridae Belongs to the genus Falco Has short, broad wings Has thin, long wings Has a simple curve on its beak Has a notched beak (side tooth) Has a “flap-flap-glide” flying pattern Flaps its wings to fly rarely uses the gliding technique except when flying along cliffs Builds its own nest Does not build a nest selects spots on cliffs to dwell Can fly through shrubs and trees Thrives in open spaces Kills its prey with its powerful talons Grabs its prey with its talons and kills it with its beak Descriptions A red-tailed hawk
