There are hundreds and thousands of bird species all over the world. And even as a bird enthusiast, you must have your favorites.
In the avian world, one of the most celebrated species is Eagles which is famed for being enormous and powerful with striking appearances invoking fear and appreciation among everyone.
Hence, if you are already a fan of Eagle then you would naturally be interested to know more birds that appear as strong and powerful as this mighty species.
You don’t have to look any further, because, in this article, we have gathered up a list where different species that look like eagles have been rounded up and briefly introduced to help you in your endeavor.
Gather up all the eagle enthusiasts and let’s get this discussion started!
Contents
Discover 16 Striking Birds Looking Like Eagles
Birds that look like eagles can come as different species. We have separated the list according to their species and included some basic information as well as the basic similarities and dissimilarities so that as a bird enthusiast you can easily spot them.
So, let’s just jump into it, shall we?
5 Dauntless Hawks That Look Similar To Eagles
Hawks are celebrated for their similarities with Eagles. Thus, if we want to know about birds that look like eagles, then getting to know the similarities between hawks and eagles is a must.
So, let’s get to know them.
Red-Tailed Hawk
Source: @photo.raptors
- Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis
- Size: 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 in)
- Locality: North America, Alaska, Northern Canada, Panama, and the West Indies
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March Through May
Red-Tailed Hawk also known as “chickenhawk” can vary in color depending on the subspecies of each range.
This species and Eagles have impressive eyesight which helps them while going after their prey. Both possess color variation and broad wings. Moreover, Eagles and Red-Tailed Hawks look similar for their hooked bill and distinctive yellow feet and cere.
Harris’s Hawk
Source: @davehawkinsphotography
- Scientific Name: Parabuteo unicinctus
- Size: 46 to 59 cm (18 to 23 in)
- Locality: The southwestern United States South to Chile, Central Argentina, and Brazil
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: January to September
Harris’s Hawk also occasionally known as a “wolf hawk” is popular for their falconry and sexual dimorphism.
Eagle and Harris’s Hawk appear similar mostly for their feathered feet and forward-facing eyes. Both species possess powerful raptor feet and similar broad wings. Moreover, some eagle species have almost identical facial disks of feathers around their eyes.
Red-Shouldered Hawk
Source: @philpaigephotography
- Scientific Name: Buteo lineatus
- Size: 38 to 58 cm (15 to 23 in)
- Locality: Eastern North America, the Coast of California, and Northern to Northeastern-Central Mexico.
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Between April and July
Red-Shouldered Hawks, a medium-sized species, look distinctive for the stripes on their chests and pale crescents on their wingtips while in flight.
Being adapted to soaring and gliding flight patterns, both Red-Shouldered Hawks and Eagles possess similar broad wings. Moreover, their forward-facing eyes aid in their foraging and provide them a binocular vision. The Red-Shouldered Hawk and Eagles have feathered feet that protect them.
Cooper’s Hawk
Source: @boston_camera
- Scientific Name: Accipiter cooperii
- Size: 35 to 46 cm (14 to 18 in)
- Locality: North American Continent, Southern Canada to Mexico.
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Late February March
Cooper’s Hawk are most celebrated for their classic accipiter body shape and a contrasting adorable black cap on their head.
Being great hunters, Cooper’s Hawk and Eagles have impressive eyesight and bright yellow-colored eyes. Their strong yellow-colored talons are similar to most Eagle species. From afar, they can be easily mistaken as an eagle, especially for their long tails and shape.
Northern Goshawk
Source: @nkymyang
- Scientific Name: Accipiter gentilis
- Size: 46 to 63 cm (18 to 25 in)
- Locality: Eurasia
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Between Early April and Mid-June
Northern Goshawk, a large and chunky accipiter, appears unique for its pale eyebrow stripes. Their wing tips look pointy while in flight but bulgy in general for the long secondary flight feathers.
Northern Goshawks possess vibrant yellow-orange eyes that look most similar to Eagles. Moreover, the shape and prominent color of their talons are almost identical to Eagles. While in flight, this species almost makes similar wing shapes as Eagles making it easier to confuse them.
Similarities: Eagles and Hawks
Among all the birds that look like eagles, in this part, we will be debating on how eagles and the specified hawk species might appear similar.
- Both species as adults are more than 20 inches in length and possess dark brown or grey upperpart.
- They have well-built talons, legs, beaks, and wings.
- Hawks and eagles are feathered down to their legs.
- Both species are diurnal and the females are larger and stronger than the males.
- They both belong to the same Accipitriformes order, hence, have a similar appearance.
- Both are aerial hunters with keen eyesight making them appear similar while hunting as well.
- Lastly, as their diet and habitat is similar they are found in ranges that overlap making them more similar.
How To Spot The Difference
Despite being so similar Hawks and Eagles possess significant dissimilarities that should be looked at closely to spot the differences. Hence, we have gathered them up to help you.
- Hawks have distinctive markings all over their body while the markings on eagles are not that prominent.
- Adult Hawks possess dark brown eye color, whereas adult eagles possess yellow colored eyes.
- Hawks’ beaks are usually dark colored and shorter, eagles’ on the other hand, are yellow and larger.
2 Buzzards That Look Like Eagles
After getting to know the similarities between hawks and eagles, getting to know the similarities between the Buzzards species and Eagles becomes a must.
Therefore, in this section, we will introduce you to those similarities.
Rough-Legged Buzzard
Source: @lena.sjo
- Scientific Name: Buteo lagopus
- Size: 46 to 68 cm (18 to 27 in)
- Locality: Arctic and Subarctic Regions of North America, Europe, and Russia
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to June
Rough-Legged Buzzard, a large species, is easily distinguishable from other species because of its boldly patterned body and dark tip with dull-based tails.
Both this species and Eagles have broad and predominantly dark-colored wings. Their tail color, in general, includes shades of white brown, yellow, or red. Both species have large claws. The buffish plumage coloration of the Rough-Legged Buzzard makes it seem like the female version of Eagles.
Common Buzzard
Source: @wiklunds_photography
- Scientific Name: Buteo buteo
- Size: 40 to 58 cm (16 to 23 in)
- Locality: Europe, and Asia
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Mid-March to July
Common Buzzards are regarded as one-of-a-kind species for sometimes possessing pure white or black color plumage. However, in general, they have a brown body.
Because of their brown body, feathered legs, sexual dimorphism, and relatively large size, this species can easily be confused with eagles. However, unlike most eagles, the Common Buzzard is more likely to forage around both carrions and prey.
Similarities: Eagles and Buzzards
As species, similarities between eagles and buzzards are quite many. Hence, we will be discussing only a few of them.
- Both species exhibit similar shades of colors in their plumage which include brown, black, grey, and white.
- Eagles and Buzzards have broad wings helping them to possess similar flight patterns making them look alike while getting ready to fly.
- In general, both are large birds of prey and as an adult appear more than 20 inches in length.
- Both of them possess strong beaks, talons, and occasionally rounded tails.
- The color of their eyes is usually dark with contrasting light-colored facial disks.
How To Spot The Difference
Now to help you distinguish them we will help you spot their differences.
- Buzzards are usually relatively smaller in size than eagles.
- The eye placement in eagles is more in the front and buzzards are more to the sides.
- Buzzards possess more rounded wings.
- Eagles tend to be heavier than buzzards.
- Buzzards possess shorter necks than that of eagles.
3 Vulture Species That Look Like Eagles
Eagles and vultures have a lot of similarities, especially the ones we are about to discuss.
Hence, without further ado, let’s get to know them.
Andean Condor
Source: @birds_and_pizza
- Scientific Name: Vultur gryphus
- Size: 330 cm (130 in)
- Locality: the Andes Mountains and adjacent Pacific Coasts of Western South America,
- Status: Vulnerable
- Breeding Season: February Through June
Andean Condor, a giant Vulture species, is renowned among bird watchers for its stunning vivid white-colored ruff around its neck.
This species and Eagles seem similar for their large size and short sharp beaks. While in flight their wing shape can appear identical as well. Like most other vulture species, the condor is primarily a scavenger which is different from most eagles.
Black Vulture
Source: @glenda_rees_nz
- Scientific Name: Coragyps atratus
- Size: 56 to 74 cm (22 to 29 in)
- Locality: The Northeastern United States to Perú, Central Chile, and Uruguay in South America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Late January to August
Black Vulture, a large raptor, is famed for its all-over dark black colored body that goes from head to toe except for the underside of its wings.
The super-sized species can fly extremely high, similar to Eagles. Both species are large in size and possess short rounded tails. However, Black Vultures are less likely to be mistaken as Eagles than the other birds on this list.
Turkey Vulture
Source: @davehutt
- Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
- Size: 62 to 81 cm (24 to 32 in)
- Locality: Southern Canada to the southernmost end of South America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March to June
Being a large dark species, what makes Turkey Vulture different from other species is its distinctive head and long tails.
Turkey vultures and Eagles are similar for their keen eyesight and large size. Now, if you see a large-sized dark-colored bird hovering around carcasses of dead animals then it is safe to say that it is a turkey vulture rather than an Eagle.
Similarities: Eagles and Vultures
In this section, we will be discussing why vultures look like eagles.
- Eagles and Vultures are almost similar in size due to being more than 30 inches as an adult with an impressive wingspan.
- Both species have sharp and curved bills.
- Both species possess a similar range of shades that include brown, black, and white helping them blend into their surroundings.
How To Spot The Difference
Now, let’s get you acquainted with the differences.
- The key difference between eagles and vultures is that eagles are covered in feathers all over their body while vultures often do not possess feathers on their heads.
- Because of having no feathers the heads of the Vultures appear relatively smaller.
- Eagles have a more compact body while vultures seem slender with longer necks.
- While soaring, Vultures usually make a “V” shape whereas Eagles make a flat plane.
- Vultures often possess weaker feet and blunt talons than Eagles.
2 Harrier Species Similar To Eagles
Harriers are known to have some distinctive similarities with eagles. In this section, we are about to let you in on these similarities.
Northern Harrier
Source: @candid_nerd
- Scientific Name: Circus hudsonius
- Size: 41 to 52 cm (16 to 20 in)
- Locality: Northern Parts of the Northern Hemisphere in Canada and the Northernmost USA
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: April to September
Northern Harrier, a slender medium-sized species, is known for its owl-like face and dihedral or v-shaped wings while in flight.
Similar to most birds of prey, both Northern Harriers and Eagles have keen and acute eyesight. Moreover, both of these species appear angry for their bill shape and striking eye color. While there are distinct variations in color, both these species are usually found in shades of brown, black, grey, and white.
Swamp Harrier
Source: @gardenbirds_diary
- Scientific Name: Circus approximans
- Size: 48 to 62 cm (19 to 24.5 in)
- Locality: Australasia
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: September to December
Swamp Harrier also known as Swamp-hawk is one of the largest extant harrier species that is known for discoloration of its plumage with age.
While sitting around or soaring high in the sky, Swamp Harriers appear similar to Eagles. Moreover, their plumage colors and light-colored eye with strong powerful bills are what make them look as powerful as an eagle species.
Similarities: Eagles and Harriers
Being birds of prey, harriers and eagles look almost similar from a distance and if you are not an experienced bird watcher, then you might confuse these two species. Hence, we will be discussing their similarities.
- While exhibiting strong sexual dimorphism, Eagles and Harriers have long tails.
- Both look large from a distance.
- Both species have large and pointed wingspan.
- Both have a similar range of colors in their plumage.
How To Spot The Difference
Now to help you distinguish them we will help you spot their differences.
- Adult Harriers look relatively smaller than that adult Eagle.
- Harriers’ talons and beaks are smaller.
- Harriers appear more rounded.
Other Magnificent Species With Similar Appearance As Eagles
Various other species are similar to that of eagles and we have made a list for them as well.
So, let’s jump into the list!
Western Osprey
Source: @sana.yokko
- Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus
- Size: 60 cm (24 in)
- Locality: Almost all continents
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: January Through May
The Western Osprey is one of the widely distributed birds of prey that can be found in almost all the continents in the world except for Antarctica.
Apart from being an impressive flyer similar to Eagles, the Western Osprey is known for being a skilled predator. Hence, both these species prefer to have fish while grasping them firmly with their powerful claws. As eagles and Western Ospreys both prefer wetlands, they can be easily mistaken for one another.
How To Spot The Difference
Let’s look at the distinctive features that make Eagles and Western Osprey different from each other.
- Eagles are relatively larger.
- The head and necks of Western Osprey are comparatively smaller.
American Kestrel
Source: @suarezcarlosi
- Scientific Name: Falco sparverius
- Size: 22 to 31 cm (8.7 to 12.2 in)
- Locality: North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Early Spring to Late Summer
American Kestrel is a rounded species that are adored for their sideburn-like markings on their sides.
This species is regarded as one of the smallest falcons and can only be mistaken as a juvenile eagle. Moreover, their large heads and body coloration are what make them appear similar to eagles. In the case of behavioral similarities, both are diurnal species with territorial behavior.
How To Spot The Difference
In this section, we will get to know how to spot the specified species’ differences.
- American Kestrels are a comparatively smaller species than Eagles.
- The eyes of American Kestrels are primarily large and dark-colored.
- The American Kestrels possess squared-off distinctive tails.
- This species possess dark mustache-like markings which is uncommon in Eagles.
Black Kite
Source: @wildo_graphers
- Scientific Name: Milvus migrans
- Size: 47 to 60 cm (18.5 to 23.6 in)
- Locality: Eurasia, Australia, Oceania
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: January and February
Black Kite, a medium-sized species, is celebrated by bird enthusiasts for its stunning forked tails and dark plumage with little to no sexual dimorphism.
This species is usually seen gliding and soaring like Eagles. They effortlessly fly in their brown bodies which is why they get easily mistaken for an eagle from a distance. Their strong beak, talon, and powerful eyesight make them similar as well.
How To Spot The Difference
Let’s discuss how to differentiate between Eagles and Black Kites.
- Eagles are usually larger than Black Kites.
- Black Kites have distinctive forked shape tails.
- The eyes are usually dark in color, and have a dark patch around their eyes, unlike eagles which can vary in different shades.
Prairie Falcon
Source: @jozoqo_photo
- Scientific Name: Falco mexicanus
- Size: 37 to 38 cm (14.5 to 15 inches)
- Locality: Western North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Late February Through July
Prairie Falcon is mostly known for its aggressive behavior due to living in harsh environments and evolving.
Eagles and the specified species are almost identical for their mesmerizingly strong hooked beaks. Moreover, they have a similar flight pattern as well. Both species use the strength in their talons to go after their prey.
How To Spot The Difference
Let’s spot the differences between an Eagle and a Prairie Falcon according to their appearance.
- Prairie Falcons are smaller than most eagle species.
- This species has a finely streaked body with mustache-like markings which is uncommon in most eagle species.
- Prairie Falcon’s tails are long and tapered and possess dark stripes. Eagles, on the other hand, possess more rounded and longer tails.
FAQ
After learning all the similarities between different bird species and eagles, if you are a curious individual like us then you should still have some inquiries.
Hence, in this section, we will be answering a couple of frequently asked questions.
Q: Which seagull species look like eagles?
Ans: One of the seagulls that can get confused as an eagle is the Adult Great Black-backed Gulls. They usually get mixed up with bald eagles for their similarities in size and dark colors.
Q: What bird is the king of eagles?
Ans: In general, all the eagles are known as the “King of birds”. However, the king among the kings is the “Philippine Eagle” which is known as the king of eagles.
Thoughts
Now that we have reached the conclusion, you are now more aware of the birds that look like eagles and have a basic idea about their similarities. Moreover, you would be able to spot their differences with the help of this article as well.
In the air, a harrier, vulture, hawk, buzzard, or some other species might appear similar, But after going through this article, we are sure that you can easily spot the difference.
Now you can enjoy almost the same aerial mastery as an eagle among other species and lead your life as an avid eagle enthusiast.
However, eagle lovers or not, we must remember to help conserve all these species so that we can enjoy a lifelong presence of these species.
Their existence plays a significant role in creating a balanced ecosystem as well as invoking inspiration and admiration among people across the globe.
Let’s all come forward and strongly defend their territory.
