Bald Eagle vs Barred Hawk

Haliaeetus leucocephalus compared with Morphnarchus princeps

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Bald Eagle Barred Hawk
Scientific Name Haliaeetus leucocephalus Morphnarchus princeps
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) 72.9 cm (28.7 in)
Weight 4300.0 g (151.68 oz) 872.0 g (30.76 oz)
Diet Primarily fish, also waterfowl, small mammals, and carrion. Hunts by swooping down to snatch fish … --
Clutch Size 1-4 1
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Bald Eagle 79.0 cm
Barred Hawk
Wingspan
Bald Eagle 203.0 cm
Barred Hawk 72.9 cm
Weight
Bald Eagle 4300.0 g
Barred Hawk 872.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Bald Eagle only

Barred 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.

Barred Hawk

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Geographic Range & Migration

Bald Eagle

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

Barred Hawk

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Bald Eagle

Least Concern

Barred 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

Barred 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.

Barred Hawk

The Barred Hawk is a large hawk of the family Accipitridae found in humid montane forests on the Pacific slopes of the Andes from Panama to Peru. Weighing about 872g with a wingspan of 72.9cm, it has boldly barred black-and-white underparts and a yellow cere. It hunts snakes, lizards, and small mammals in forest habitats.

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Related Comparisons

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