Bald Eagle vs Black-faced Hawk
Haliaeetus leucocephalus compared with Leucopternis melanops
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bald Eagle | Black-faced Hawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | Leucopternis melanops |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 79.0 cm (31.1 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 203.0 cm (79.9 in) | 42.2 cm (16.6 in) |
| Weight | 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) | 327.25 g (11.54 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-faced Hawk 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-faced Hawk
Geographic Range & Migration
Bald Eagle
North America from Alaska and Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico.
Black-faced Hawk
Conservation Status
Bald Eagle
Black-faced Hawk
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-faced Hawk
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-faced Hawk
The Black-faced Hawk is a small, compact raptor with white plumage, black-tipped wings and tail, and a distinctive black mask across the face. It inhabits humid lowland tropical forests of Amazonia, occurring in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and adjacent countries. It hunts reptiles, frogs, large insects, and small mammals in forest interior and along rivers.