Plain-breasted Hawk vs Bald Eagle
Accipiter ventralis compared with Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Plain-breasted Hawk | Bald Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Accipiter ventralis | Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) |
| Wingspan | — | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) |
| Weight | 164.375 g (5.80 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
Plain-breasted Hawk 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
Plain-breasted Hawk
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
Plain-breasted Hawk
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Plain-breasted Hawk
Bald Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
Plain-breasted Hawk
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
Plain-breasted Hawk
The Plain-breasted Hawk, <em>Accipiter ventralis</em>, is a raptor in the family Accipitridae associated with forested habitats in the Andes and adjacent regions of South America. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature. It is believed to inhabit montane forest environments typical of Andean slopes, where it would likely hunt small birds and other vertebrates in a manner consistent with related accipiters. Diet, nesting habits, clutch size, and vocalizations have not been reliably characterized …
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.