Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk vs Bald Eagle
Accipiter erythrauchen compared with Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Accipiter erythrauchen | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 38.2 cm (15.0 in) | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) |
| Weight | 156.0 g (5.50 oz) | 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Primarily fish, also waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. Hunts by swooping down to snatch fish … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk only
None
Bald Eagle only
Bald Eagle
Large bodies of open water including coasts, rivers, and lakes with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk
Bald Eagle
High-pitched, chattering whistle: a rapid 'kleek-kik-ik-ik-ik'. Surprisingly weak and thin for such a large raptor. Also gives a lower 'kwit-kwit' call near the nest.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk
Bald Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk
Bald Eagle
Adults have a dark brown body with a striking white head and tail. Juveniles are mottled brown and white, reaching full adult plumage at age five.
Large, hooked, bright yellow bill
About These Birds
Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk
The Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk, <em>Accipiter erythrauchen</em>, is a raptor belonging to the family Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles & Kites). It is associated with forest habitats, in line with many accipiter species that hunt through wooded terrain. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature. Notably, this species is assessed as Near Threatened, indicating that it faces some risk of population decline and warrants ongoing monitoring. The pressures driving this status may include forest loss or restricted …
Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is the national bird and symbol of the United States. Once endangered due to DDT pesticide use, it made a remarkable recovery and was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. These powerful raptors build the largest tree nests of any bird, some weighing over two tons.