Bald Eagle vs Hawaiian Hawk

Haliaeetus leucocephalus compared with Buteo solitarius

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Bald Eagle Hawaiian Hawk
Scientific Name Haliaeetus leucocephalus Buteo solitarius
Order Accipitriformes Accipitriformes
Family Accipitridae Accipitridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Near Threatened
Length 79.0 cm (31.1 in)
Wingspan 203.0 cm (79.9 in) 54.0 cm (21.3 in)
Weight 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) 490.25 g (17.29 oz)
Diet Primarily fish, also waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. Hunts by swooping down to snatch fish … --
Clutch Size 1-4 1-3
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Bald Eagle 79.0 cm
Hawaiian Hawk
Wingspan
Bald Eagle 203.0 cm
Hawaiian Hawk 54.0 cm
Weight
Bald Eagle 4300.0 g
Hawaiian Hawk 490.25 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Bald Eagle only

Hawaiian Hawk only

None

Bald Eagle

Large bodies of open water including coasts, rivers, and lakes with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting.

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Song & Call Comparison

Bald Eagle

Song

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.

Hawaiian Hawk

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Geographic Range & Migration

Bald Eagle

North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.

Hawaiian Hawk

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Bald Eagle

Near Threatened

Hawaiian Hawk

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How to Tell Them Apart

Bald Eagle

Plumage

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.

Bill

Large, hooked, bright yellow bill

Hawaiian Hawk

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About These Birds

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.

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Related Comparisons

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