Bald Eagle vs Black Harrier
Haliaeetus leucocephalus compared with Circus maurus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bald Eagle | Black Harrier |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | Circus maurus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) | 70.5 cm (27.8 in) |
| Weight | 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) | 497.3333333333333 g (17.54 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily fish, also waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. Hunts by swooping down to snatch fish … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 2-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Bald Eagle
Large bodies of open water including coasts, rivers, and lakes with abundant fish and old-growth trees for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Black Harrier
Geographic Range & Migration
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Black Harrier
Conservation Status
Bald Eagle
Black Harrier
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Black Harrier
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.
Black Harrier
The Black Harrier is an endangered, medium-sized raptor endemic to southern Africa with almost entirely black plumage, bold white barring on the tail, and characteristic pale eyes. It inhabits lowland fynbos, Renosterveld, and wetland edges primarily in the Western and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. It hunts by quartering low over open terrain, capturing small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.