Compare Falcon vs. Hawk

The falcon and the hawk are generally considered similar birds of prey by many people, but they actually differ from each other in several distinct ways. In fact, despite their similar appearances, they aren’t even closely related genetically! Falcons belong to the family Falconidae, whereas hawks belong to the family Accipitridae (which also includes eagles and kites).

While both are formidable aerial hunters, they employ completely different strategies, speeds, and weapons to take down their targets. If you want to distinguish between the two, you must first understand the basic anatomical and behavioral features of these magnificent birds. After reading this article, you will easily be in a position to differentiate between these two iconic predators of the sky.

Here is a detailed comparison of these two raptors.

Falcon Facts and Information

Falcons belong to the genus *Falco*. They are built for extreme speed and aerial acrobatics. While they catch prey with their talons, their signature weapon is a specialized notch on their beak called a “tomial tooth,” which they use to swiftly snap the neck of their prey.

• Falcons are highly populous birds and can be found on every continent in the world except Antarctica.
• They are highly adaptable and can easily thrive in almost any habitat. Whether it is a desert, the arctic tundra, sprawling grasslands, or even towering city skyscrapers, falcons make themselves at home.
• There are around 40 recognized species of falcons living across the globe.
• The normal lifespan of a wild falcon varies from 12 to 20 years, though in captivity, some falcons can live up to 25 years.
• The largest species of falcon is the majestic Gyrfalcon, which measures around 20–25 inches (50–63 cm) in length and weighs between 2 and 4.5 pounds (0.9–2 kg).
• Falcons are strict carnivores. Their diet consists almost entirely of other birds (caught in mid-air), rodents, and large insects.
• They have long, sharply pointed wings and medium-sized tails, making them incredibly aerodynamic. They are mostly dark brown or bluish-gray in color.
• They hunt strictly during the daytime and are classified as diurnal birds.
• Falcons are widely famous for their incredible eyesight; they can see up to 8 times more clearly than a normal human eye, allowing them to spot a pigeon from over a mile away.
• Falcons are the fastest animals on Earth. The peregrine falcon normally cruises at high speeds, but when it goes into a hunting dive (called a stoop), it reaches a blistering 200 mph (320 km/h). In certain recorded cases, diving falcons have reached up to 242 mph (389 km/h)!
• As with most birds of prey, female falcons are usually larger than males, and both partners are known to fiercely protect their nests and offspring.

Hawk Facts and Information

Unlike falcons, hawks belong to a number of different genera, with the *Accipiter* (forest hawks) and *Buteo* (soaring hawks) being the most common. Hawks are powerful, highly intelligent birds of prey known for their sudden ambush attacks and crushing grip.

• Similar to falcons, they are widely populated and can be found all over the world, excluding Antarctica.
• Hawks are incredibly adaptable and can be found hunting in dense forests, open prairies, wetlands, and deserts.
• There are more than 270 species of hawks worldwide.
• Just like falcons, their sizes differ drastically from species to species. A large hawk (like the Ferruginous Hawk) can be up to 25 inches long and weigh up to 5 pounds.
• Hawks generally have broader, more rounded wings and longer tails compared to falcons, allowing them to soar easily on thermal currents and maneuver through dense trees.
• Unlike falcons, hawks rely primarily on the crushing power of their massive talons to kill their prey, using their sharp, curved beaks mostly to tear the meat apart afterward.
• Hawks possess legendary eyesight and can clearly locate a mouse hiding in the grass from hundreds of feet in the air.
• Hawks have a special optical characteristic: they can distinguish between different colors and see into the ultraviolet spectrum, allowing them to track the urine trails of rodents!
• Hawks are not picky eaters; they will consume rodents, frogs, snakes, small reptiles, and other birds.
• Male hawks are widely known for their breathtaking courtship displays, performing complex aerial dances and dives for up to 10 minutes to impress a female.
• They fall under the category of monogamous animals, often mating with the same partner for life.
• They normally have a lifespan that varies from 13 to 20 years in the wild.

Hawk vs. Falcon Comparison Table

Animals	Hawk	Falcon
Kingdom	Animalia	Animalia
Family	Accipitridae	Falconidae
Genus	Accipiter / Buteo	Falco
Order	Accipitriformes	Falconiformes
Average Length	11-25 in (29-65 cm)	10-25 in (25-65 cm)
Average Weight	0.3-4.5 lbs	0.2-4.5 lbs
Top Speed	120 mph (in a dive)	240+ mph (in a dive)
Area	Global (except Antarctica)	Global (except Antarctica)
Speed	4 (very good)	5 (excellent)
Force	4 (very good)	3 (average)
Technique	4 (very good)	5 (excellent)
Stamina	4 (very good)	4 (very good)
Intelligence	4 (very good)	4 (very good)
Weapon	Crushing talons, tearing beak	High-speed impact, neck-snapping beak
Average Life Span	13-20 years	12-20 years

How We Grade the Fighters: Scores are out of 5 based on combat biology. Speed goes to the Falcon (5) as the undisputed fastest animal on Earth. Force favors the Hawk (4), which generally has a more robust build and a much stronger crushing grip in its talons compared to the Falcon (3). Technique goes to the Falcon (5) for its unmatched mid-air precision and specialized neck-snapping beak. Both tie in Stamina and Intelligence (4) as highly capable, long-lived birds of prey.

The Duel between Falcon vs. Hawk

While falcons and hawks share many similarities, their hunting styles are what truly differentiate them. Hawks are powerful, patient ambush predators. They often perch silently in trees, waiting for the perfect moment to swoop down and crush a mammal or reptile with their heavy talons. Falcons, on the other hand, are the fighter jets of the bird world. They hunt in the open sky, relying on blistering speed and precision to punch other birds right out of the air.

Because they hunt differently and are roughly the same size (depending on the species), predicting a winner in a fight is incredibly difficult.

If the fight takes place in a dense forest or on the ground, the hawk has a massive advantage. Hawks are generally bulkier, have stronger legs, and possess a crushing talon grip designed for wrestling struggling mammals. A falcon’s legs are built for speed and impact, not for grappling.

However, if the fight takes place high in the open sky, the falcon dominates. With its pointed wings and aerodynamic build, a falcon can easily outmaneuver a hawk in mid-air. If a peregrine falcon catches a hawk from above and delivers a 200 mph stoop dive, the sheer kinetic impact of the falcon’s talons is enough to kill the hawk instantly.

Ultimately, the winner depends entirely on the arena. In the woods, the hawk wins. In the open sky, the falcon takes the crown!

Who Gets Your Vote?

Do you agree that the hawk’s crushing grip wins in a brawl, or do you think the unmatched speed and precision of the falcon makes it the ultimate victor? Scroll back up to the top of the page to cast your vote in our poll, and drop into the comments below to let us know which bird of prey you think is best!