Variable Goshawk vs Bald Eagle
Accipiter hiogaster compared with Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Variable Goshawk | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Accipiter hiogaster | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 39.4 cm (15.5 in) | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) |
| Weight | 266.25 g (9.39 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
Shared Habitats
Variable Goshawk 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
Variable 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
Variable Goshawk
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Variable Goshawk
Bald Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
Variable 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
Variable Goshawk
The Variable Goshawk (<em>Accipiter hiogaster</em>) is a forest raptor belonging to the family Accipitridae, the hawks, eagles, and kites. It inhabits forest environments across a broad range encompassing the Moluccas, New Guinea, and surrounding island groups in Australasia. This species is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its common name reflects the considerable variation in plumage observed across its many island populations and subspecies. Nesting records indicate an incubation period of approximately 30 days, and clutch size typically ranges …
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.