Golden Eagle vs Red-tailed Hawk
Aquila chrysaetos compared with Buteo jamaicensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden Eagle | Red-tailed Hawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aquila chrysaetos | Buteo jamaicensis |
| Order | Accipitriformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 81.0 cm (31.9 in) | 53.0 cm (20.9 in) |
| Wingspan | 212.0 cm (83.5 in) | 124.0 cm (48.8 in) |
| Weight | 4050.0 g (142.86 oz) | 1080.0 g (38.10 oz) |
| Diet | Mammals including rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, and marmots. Also takes birds, reptiles, and carrion. Hunts … | Small to medium mammals, especially voles, mice, and rabbits. Also takes birds, reptiles, and large … |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Golden Eagle only
None
Red-tailed Hawk only
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.
Red-tailed Hawk
Open country with scattered elevated perches such as trees, poles, and cliffs. Adaptable to farmland, grasslands, roadsides, and suburban areas.
Song & Call Comparison
Golden Eagle
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.
Red-tailed Hawk
Iconic, raspy descending scream: 'kreeeeee-ar', often used in films for all raptors. Gives short barking 'kak' notes near nest. Juveniles beg with persistent squealing whistles.
Geographic Range & Migration
Golden Eagle
Holarctic distribution across North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The most widely distributed eagle species.
Red-tailed Hawk
North America from Alaska to Panama, including the Caribbean. One of the most common raptors in North America.
Conservation Status
Golden Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Golden Eagle
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.
Dark horn-colored hooked bill with a yellow cere
Red-tailed Hawk
Variable plumage from pale to dark morphs. Most adults have rich brown upperparts, a pale breast with a dark belly band, and the characteristic rufous-red tail.
Dark hooked bill with a yellow cere
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.
Red-tailed Hawk
The red-tailed hawk is the most widespread and common hawk in North America. Its screaming cry is so iconic that it is often dubbed over bald eagle footage in films and television. These adaptable raptors thrive in human-altered landscapes and are a familiar sight perched along highways.