Henst's Goshawk vs Bald Eagle
Accipiter henstii compared with Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Henst's Goshawk | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Accipiter henstii | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 58.1 cm (22.9 in) | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) |
| Weight | 903.0 g (31.85 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 | 2-3 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Bald Eagle
Large bodies of open water including coasts, rivers, and lakes with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
Henst's Goshawk
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
Henst's Goshawk
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Henst's Goshawk
Bald Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
Henst's Goshawk
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
Henst's Goshawk
Henst's Goshawk (<em>Accipiter henstii</em>) is a large forest raptor in the family Accipitridae, the hawks, eagles, and kites. It is endemic to Madagascar, where it inhabits forest environments including the island's remaining primary rainforest. This species is assessed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, reflecting ongoing population declines driven by deforestation and habitat loss across Madagascar. It is considered one of the larger Malagasy raptors. Nesting data indicate an incubation period of approximately 39 to 40 days, with fledging occurring at …
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.