RED TAILED HAWK SILHOUETTE HOW TO

If they’re flat, it’s a hawk.įinally, telling the difference when the bird lands is easy too! Vultures have dark colored bellies versus a light or speckled hawk belly. If the bird’s wings look like a V, it’s a vulture. If the bird is soaring and wobbling side to side, it’s a vulture. Turkey vultures are not as graceful flyers as red tails. If you see a hawk-like bird soaring high above and want to know if it’s a turkey vulture or a red tailed hawk, it’s surprisingly easy to tell the difference!

Vultures wings are in a v- shape (below) Turkey vultures fly with their wings in a V shape Red-tailed hawks (above) have light undersides, vs the turkey vulture’s dark underside (below) Turkey vultures have red heads and dark bellies Red tailed hawk vs turkey vulture Red tailed hawks (above) fly with their wings flat. And ospreys have a bend in their wings, giving them an M shape, vs the hawk’s more flat wing profile. Red tailed hawks have stouter, broader wings compared to the osprey. Ospreys also have longer, more narrow wings. You might also enjoy: Birdwatching slang Red tailed hawk vs osprey Compare the red tailed hawk (above) vs osprey (below). Peregrine falcons have black on their faces sand speckled undersidesįinally, if you see a bird flying high above and want to know if it’s a red tailed hawk or a peregrine falcon, it’s actually pretty easy! Check the bird’s wingtips. Red tails have a dark “belly band” of speckled feathers, and white below that. Looking at the belly will also tell you if the bird is a red tailed hawk or a peregrine falcon. Peregrine falcons have what is called a malar stripe- the dark coloring on their faces looks like sideburns! A red tailed hawk has a solid brown head. And peregrine falcons are primarily blue-gray while red tails are reddish brown. Peregrine falcons are much smaller than red tailed hawks- about the size of crows. How can you tell if a bird is a red tailed hawk or a peregrine falcon? Red tailed hawk or peregrine falcon Note the shape of the red tailed hawk’s wing when comparing it to the peregrine falcon below. But red tailed hawks have dark colored heads and red-brown tails. Adult bald eagles have white tails and of course, white heads. What about comparing bald eagles vs red tailed hawks?īald eagles are much larger than red tailed hawks- the average bald eagle weighs about 8 pounds and the average red tail is about 2.5 pounds!Īnd bald eagles have brown undersides, vs the red tailed hawk’s white belly. And juveniles, like the one on the left in the image below, are mostly brown with a little white mottling. If you’re out west, it is possible the bird is a golden eagle Red tailed hawk vs bald eagle Adult bald eagles have brown undersides, white tails, and of course, white heads. Finally golden eagles are rare in the eastern United States. Younger eagles may have white patches on their wings and tails.

But golden eagles are dark brown with a slight golden sheen on their head and neck. Red tailed hawks have brown backs and white undersides. And hawks are around 2.5 pounds, compared to 9 pound eagles! Red tailed hawks have a wingspan of about 3 feet vs the eagle’s 5 feet. There are 3 easy ways to tell if a bird is a red tailed hawk or golden eagle In addition to the dark belly, golden eagles also have light brown or golden feathers on their heads and wings If you want more detailed information, I highly recommend the book “Hawks from Every Angle.” And here are more books that will help you identify hawks, whether you are a beginner or advanced birder! Red tailed hawk or golden eagle Note the lighter colored underside on this red tailed hawk vs golden eagle’s dark colored belly below. Red tailed hawks look similar to other large raptors, especially at a distance.

RED TAILED HAWK SILHOUETTE HOW TO

How to tell red tailed hawks apart from similar birds of prey Red tailed hawks do not have a red tail until they are about one year old. Juvenile red tailed hawks have brown tails. If you still aren’t sure, here are more tips and comparisons! Does a juvenile red tailed hawk have a red tail? Also check out its legs compared to the ferruginous hawk in step 3! You can see this red tailed hawk has a very light belly, with a bit of black speckling across the middle. However, ospreys, peregrine falcons, and Cooper’s hawks all have lighter undersides. Turkey vultures, bald eagles, golden eagles, Harris’s hawks, and red shouldered hawks all have dark bellies, so this clue helps a lot! If the bird has a light colored underside and broad wings, it’s probably a red tailed hawk.

Red tailed hawk silhouette