Grey Goshawk vs Golden Eagle

Accipiter novaehollandiae compared with Aquila chrysaetos

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Grey Goshawk Golden Eagle
Scientific Name Accipiter novaehollandiae Aquila chrysaetos
Order Accipitriformes Accipitriformes
Family Accipitridae Accipitridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length 81.0 cm (31.9 in)
Wingspan 52.4 cm (20.6 in) 212.0 cm (83.5 in)
Weight 572.0 g (20.18 oz) 4050.0 g (142.86 oz)
Diet -- Mammals including rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, and marmots. Also takes birds, reptiles, and carrion. Hunts …
Clutch Size 1-5 1-3
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Grey Goshawk
Golden Eagle 81.0 cm
Wingspan
Grey Goshawk 52.4 cm
Golden Eagle 212.0 cm
Weight
Grey Goshawk 572.0 g
Golden Eagle 4050.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Grey Goshawk only

Golden Eagle only

Golden Eagle

Open and semi-open country including mountains, hills, and tundra. Prefers areas with cliffs or large trees for nesting and open terrain for hunting.

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Song & Call Comparison

Grey Goshawk

Golden Eagle

Song

Mostly silent; emits a thin, high-pitched whistle 'kee-kee-kee' near the eyrie. Also gives low barking 'yak-yak' and mewing calls. Far less vocal than its size suggests.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Grey Goshawk

Golden Eagle

Holarctic distribution across North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The most widely distributed eagle species.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Grey Goshawk

Least Concern

Golden Eagle

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How to Tell Them Apart

Grey Goshawk

Golden Eagle

Plumage

Dark brown overall with a golden-bronze sheen on the nape and crown. Juveniles show distinct white patches at the base of the tail and in the wings.

Bill

Dark horn-colored hooked bill with a yellow cere

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About These Birds

Grey Goshawk

The Grey Goshawk (<em>Accipiter novaehollandiae</em>) is a medium-sized raptor of the family Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles & Kites), native to Australia and nearby islands. It occupies a range of habitats including forest and grassland, making it one of the more habitat-versatile members of its genus. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature for this record, though the Grey Goshawk is notable for occurring in both a grey-and-white morph and a pure white morph, the …

Golden Eagle

The golden eagle is one of the most powerful and agile raptors in the Northern Hemisphere. Revered by many cultures, it has been used in falconry for centuries, particularly by Kazakh eagle hunters of Central Asia. Golden eagles can dive at speeds exceeding 240 km/h when pursuing prey.

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Related Comparisons

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