Rufous-thighed Hawk vs Bald Eagle
Accipiter erythronemius compared with Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-thighed Hawk | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Accipiter erythronemius | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) |
| Wingspan | — | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) |
| Weight | 135.125 g (4.77 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-thighed Hawk 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-thighed Hawk
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-thighed Hawk
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Rufous-thighed Hawk
Bald Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous-thighed Hawk
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-thighed Hawk
The Rufous-thighed Hawk, <em>Accipiter erythronemius</em>, is a member of the family Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles & Kites), a group comprising a wide range of diurnal raptors. This species is associated with forest habitats and, like other accipiters, presumably employs swift aerial pursuit to capture prey within wooded environments. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature. Its conservation status is listed as Not Evaluated, meaning a formal global assessment has not yet been completed. Data …
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.