Slaty-backed Goshawk vs Bald Eagle
Accipiter luteoschistaceus compared with Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Slaty-backed Goshawk | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Accipiter luteoschistaceus | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 37.6 cm (14.8 in) | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) |
| Weight | 213.5 g (7.53 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
Slaty-backed 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
Slaty-backed 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
Slaty-backed Goshawk
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Slaty-backed Goshawk
Bald Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
Slaty-backed 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
Slaty-backed Goshawk
The Slaty-backed Goshawk (<em>Accipiter luteoschistaceus</em>) is a forest raptor in the family Accipitridae, the hawks, eagles, and kites. It is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea, primarily recorded from New Britain and New Ireland, where it inhabits tropical forest environments. This species is assessed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, reflecting its restricted range and susceptibility to habitat loss from logging and forest clearance across the Bismarck islands. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited …
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.