Madagascar Sparrowhawk vs Bald Eagle
Accipiter madagascariensis compared with Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Madagascar Sparrowhawk | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Accipiter madagascariensis | 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 | 199.25 g (7.03 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 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Madagascar 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
Madagascar 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
Madagascar Sparrowhawk
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Madagascar Sparrowhawk
Bald Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
Madagascar 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
Madagascar Sparrowhawk
The Madagascar Sparrowhawk (<em>Accipiter madagascariensis</em>) is a forest raptor belonging to the family Accipitridae, the hawks, eagles, and kites. It is endemic to Madagascar, where it inhabits forest environments including both humid eastern rainforests and drier western woodlands. This species is assessed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, reflecting population pressure from the ongoing loss and degradation of forest habitats across Madagascar. Clutch size typically ranges from 1 to 4 eggs. Detailed plumage and bill descriptions, as well as specific …
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.