Golden Eagle vs Harris's Hawk

Aquila chrysaetos compared with Parabuteo unicinctus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Golden Eagle Harris's Hawk
Scientific Name Aquila chrysaetos Parabuteo unicinctus
Order Accipitriformes Accipitriformes
Family Accipitridae Accipitridae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length 81.0 cm (31.9 in)
Wingspan 212.0 cm (83.5 in) 64.2 cm (25.3 in)
Weight 4050.0 g (142.86 oz) 936.0 g (33.02 oz)
Diet Mammals including rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, and marmots. Also takes birds, reptiles, and carrion. Hunts … --
Clutch Size 1-3 2-4
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Golden Eagle 81.0 cm
Harris's Hawk
Wingspan
Golden Eagle 212.0 cm
Harris's Hawk 64.2 cm
Weight
Golden Eagle 4050.0 g
Harris's Hawk 936.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Golden Eagle only

Harris's Hawk only

None

Golden Eagle

Open and semi-open country including mountains, hills, and tundra. Prefers areas with cliffs or large trees for nesting and open terrain for hunting.

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Song & Call Comparison

Golden Eagle

Song

Mostly silent; emits a thin, high-pitched whistle 'kee-kee-kee' near the eyrie. Also gives low barking 'yak-yak' and mewing calls. Far less vocal than its size suggests.

Harris's Hawk

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Geographic Range & Migration

Golden Eagle

Holarctic distribution across North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The most widely distributed eagle species.

Harris's Hawk

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Golden Eagle

Least Concern

Harris's Hawk

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How to Tell Them Apart

Golden Eagle

Plumage

Dark brown overall with a golden-bronze sheen on the nape and crown. Juveniles show distinct white patches at the base of the tail and in the wings.

Bill

Dark horn-colored hooked bill with a yellow cere

Harris's Hawk

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About These Birds

Golden Eagle

The golden eagle is one of the most powerful and agile raptors in the Northern Hemisphere. Revered by many cultures, it has been used in falconry for centuries, particularly by Kazakh eagle hunters of Central Asia. Golden eagles can dive at speeds exceeding 240 km/h when pursuing prey.

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Related Comparisons

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