Hawk vs Falcon
Verdict: Look at the wings. Hawks like the Red-tailed have broad, rounded wings and a short wide tail and soar in circles. Falcons have slender, pointed wings, flap steadily and often hunt with fast dives.
The word hawk covers many birds, so this page compares a typical broad-winged hawk, the Red-tailed Hawk, with a typical falcon, the Peregrine. Other hawks, such as woodland accipiters, are built differently and are not covered here. Falcons also form a separate family from hawks.
Audubon advises judging raptors by size, shape and wingbeat rather than fine color details. Falcons are slender and pointy-winged with steady flaps, while buteo hawks look large, broad-winged and short-tailed with labored wingbeats. A soaring bird circling on flat wings is a hawk. A bird cutting past on stiff, pointed wings is a falcon.
Hawk vs Falcon side by side
| Trait | Hawk | Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Wing shape | Very broad and rounded | Long, slender and pointed |
| Silhouette | Large, broad-winged and short-tailed | Slender and pointy-winged |
| Wingbeats | Spare and labored; soars in wide circles on thermals | Steadier and shallow, elastic in the Peregrine |
| Hunting move | Slow, controlled dive with legs outstretched | Swift, spectacular dives called stoops |
| Example length | Red-tailed Hawk 17.7 to 25.6 in | Peregrine Falcon 14.2 to 19.3 in |
| Example wingspan | 44.9 to 52.4 in | 39.4 to 43.3 in |
| Perches | Field edges, telephone poles, fence posts, isolated trees | Cliffs, skyscrapers, water towers and other tall structures |
Last verified October 2026. Typical values; individual animals, products and local prices vary.
When you are looking at which
Hawk
- A big bird circles slowly on broad wings with a short, wide tail.
- You see a cinnamon-red tail on an adult or a streaked belly on a pale underside.
- It sits on a roadside pole or fence post scanning a field.
- Its wingbeats look heavy and labored rather than quick and shallow.
Falcon
- The wings look long, narrow and pointed, and the body looks slender.
- It flaps with steady, shallow beats rather than circling on thermals.
- It dives hard at birds in flight or perches on a tall tower or cliff.
- The bird has a dark head with thick sideburns, like a Peregrine.
How this works
The quiz scores wing shape, flight style, overall shape, perch and attack style. Each answer points to hawk or falcon, and the side with more answers wins. A close score is reported as too close to call, and you should look at the wings again.
It compares a typical broad-winged hawk with a typical falcon. Woodland hawks, kestrels, merlins and other species differ, and a bird seen at a distance in poor light can fool anyone. Wing shape and wingbeat are the most reliable of the five cues.
Where these numbers come from
The figures and defaults on this page are based on:
- Audubon: Three Basic Ways to Identify Hawks, Eagles, Falcons and Other Raptors, supports wing shape and wingbeat differences between falcons and hawks (checked October 2026)
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Red-tailed Hawk Identification, supports hawk size, broad wings, soaring and perches (checked October 2026)
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Peregrine Falcon Identification, supports falcon size, pointed wings, stoops and perches (checked October 2026)
Field-identification guide. Many species exist, so use several cues and consult a regional field guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a falcon a hawk?
No. Falcons and hawks are different families of birds of prey. Falcons are slender and pointy-winged, while buteo hawks are broad-winged with short tails.
How do peregrine falcons hunt?
Cornell Lab describes swift, spectacular dives called stoops, used to catch medium-sized birds in the air. Their long, pointed wings give them the elongated shape for high-speed flight.
Which bird is bigger, a hawk or a falcon?
It depends on the species. A Red-tailed Hawk measures 17.7 to 25.6 inches and a Peregrine Falcon 14.2 to 19.3 inches, so this hawk is typically larger and broader.
Where do hawks and falcons perch?
Red-tailed Hawks often perch on telephone poles, fence posts and isolated trees along field edges. Peregrines favor high structures such as cliffs, water towers and skyscrapers.
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