Bald Eagle vs Black Honey-buzzard
Haliaeetus leucocephalus compared with Henicopernis infuscatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bald Eagle | Black Honey-buzzard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | Henicopernis infuscatus |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) | 67.4 cm (26.5 in) |
| Weight | 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) | 650.5 g (22.95 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
Bald Eagle only
Black Honey-buzzard only
None
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 Honey-buzzard
Geographic Range & Migration
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Black Honey-buzzard
Conservation Status
Bald Eagle
Black Honey-buzzard
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 Honey-buzzard
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 Honey-buzzard
The Black Honey-buzzard is a vulnerable, medium-large raptor with dark brown to blackish plumage and a relatively long tail adapted for soaring over forest. It is endemic to New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea, inhabiting primary lowland and montane rainforest. Like other honey-buzzards, it specializes in raiding the nests of bees and wasps, feeding on larvae, pupae, and honeycomb.