Dwarf Sparrowhawk vs Bald Eagle
Accipiter nanus compared with Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Dwarf Sparrowhawk | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Accipiter nanus | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 30.5 cm (12.0 in) | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) |
| Weight | 224.5 g (7.92 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
Dwarf 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
Dwarf 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
Dwarf Sparrowhawk
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Dwarf Sparrowhawk
Bald Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
Dwarf 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
Dwarf Sparrowhawk
The Dwarf Sparrowhawk (<em>Accipiter nanus</em>) is a small raptor belonging to the family Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles & Kites), and is among the smallest accipiters within its range. It is associated with forest habitats, where it is presumed to hunt small vertebrates and invertebrates through dense woodland environments. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature, reflecting the scarcity of field data for this little-studied island endemic. Geographic range data are not fully documented here, …
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.